“I’ve been treated better than I’ve ever been as a WNBA player.” Kelsey Plum’s name rings synonymous with the Los Angeles Sparks. After a visibly frustrating season, where she needed to compete for the spotlight, Plum was ready to lead a franchise. And her dreams came true in January 2025, after joining the Sparks. While the blockbuster deal was a success for the athlete, it became a missed opportunity for the franchise and for the No. 1 overall pick, Paige Bueckers.

Bueckers was excited about joining a rebuilding Dallas Wings roster. Fresh out of Geno Auriemma’s system, the UConn alum could not wait to display her prowess on the hardwood. Despite contributing massively to the roster, with the latest 44-point explosion against the LA Sparks, the Wings have repeatedly pulled Bueckers’ efforts in the dirt and miserably failed the rookie with a one-point deficit against the 6th-ranked team in the Western Conference division.

Meanwhile, ESPN analysts Ramona Shelburne and John Ireland had a smart observation that could have prevented Bueckers from undergoing a rather difficult rookie season. So, on the latest episode of the ESPN LA’s YouTube podcast, they discussed how the blockbuster deal in January made all the difference. “This was the other intrigue of it. Dallas had the number one pick and they were clearly going to take Paige, right? But if the Sparks stayed at two, there was this world in which Paige could have said, “I don’t want to play for Dallas. I want to get to LA,” Shelburne said.

There was a huge deal involving the Las Vegas Aces, the Los Angeles Sparks, and the Seattle Storm in January 2025. According to the terms of the three-team deal, the Sparks acquired Plum from the Aces. Moreover, the franchise also gave up their overall no.2 spot in the 2025 drafts to the Storm in exchange for the 2025 overall no.9 pick and the 2026 overall no.2 pick from the Storm. If the franchise had not put its draft position at risk, it would have been in a position to acquire Bueckers.

“Or the Sparks could have, she could have indicated that and the Sparks could have traded up to number one. They could have given up a player to get to number,” Shelburne explained. “Now, Dallas wouldn’t have had to do that, but it would have made a lot of sense for the Sparks to go get Paige because they have Cameron Brink who’s young.” The analyst explained how the Sparks could have initiated the induction of Bueckers into the locker room, provided Brink was recuperating.

While hinting that the roster could have exchanged Brink for Bueckers, Shelburne further highlighted that unlike a veteran presence in the Wings, the Sparks were a young roster. She also indicated that the rookie would have been a great fit for the system, worth a whopping $235 million, per Forbes.

Ironically, Caitlin Clark had also rejected the Sparks before she stepped into the pros. Talking on the Sue Bird podcast, Clark revealed her intentions. As an Iowa alum, Clark hoped to be chosen by the Indiana Fever instead. Now, with neither Clark nor Bueckers in the roster, the team stands just one point short of the top 8. With the Dallas Wings eliminated this season, along with the Connecticut Sun and the Chicago Sky, it will be crucial to witness which teams make it to the playoffs.

Paige Bueckers writes history again

While still in her rookie season, Paige Bueckers had a remarkable run. Besides becoming an All-Star, the UConn alum clinched the Rookie of the Month title in July 2025 and has been a formidable force in the league. It was her high IQ, excellent reads, and quick thinking that propelled the Wings towards a noteworthy season.

Besides facing several personal struggles this season, Bueckers rallied on and showcased her versatility on the hardwood. From helping Arike Ogunbowale to stepping up as a leader, Bueckers’ contributions have not gone unnoticed. Despite all odds against the athlete, she put up a tough front and single-handedly rallied the Wings.

So, it was no surprise when she pitted 44 points in a desperate attempt to stay in the game. After all, facing a well-groomed team like the LA Sparks is never easy for a rebuilding roster like the Wings. While Bueckers & Co. missed the opportunity with a one-point deficit, the game cemented Bueckers as a potential star for the league.

Having said that, Bueckers became the first WNBA player in history to score a 40-point game while shooting 80% from the field. She even tied scores with Cynthia Cooper, who had made 44 points in a game in 1997. Bueckers completed the feat in her 29th game and became the top five leading scorers in the WNBA this season.