The 2025 WNBA offseason was always going to be momentous. On Jan. 26, it became chaotic, too.
That's when the Aces dealt Kelsey Plum to the Sparks in a three-team deal that saw Storm standout Jewell Loyd land with Las Vegas and Los Angeles' No. 2 pick fall into Seattle's lap.
Plum and Loyd represent two of the league's most prominent frontcourt figures — both were former No. 1 draft picks, former All-WNBA first team selections, two-time WNBA champions and Olympic gold medalists. To see the two dealt alongside one another marks a significant change for their former franchises.
So, just how did the Sparks, Aces and Storm fare in their three-team collaboration? And which side, if any, made out like bandits? The Sporting News gives you the run down on all sides of the blockbuster move.
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Kelsey Plum-Jewell Loyd trade grades
First, let's take a look at who landed where in this blockbuster deal.
Sparks receive:
- G Kelsey Plum
- No. 9 pick in 2025 WNBA Draft
- 2026 second round pick (from Seattle)
Aces receive:
- G Jewell Loyd
- No. 13 pick in 2025 WNBA Draft
Sparks receive:
- C Li Yueru
- No. 2 pick in 2025 WNBA Draft
- 2026 first round pick (from Las Vegas)
MORE: Kelsey Plum dealt to Sparks, Jewell Loyd lands with Aces in three-team blockbuster
Los Angeles Sparks grade: B- (for now)
Los Angeles secured the best player in the trade in Plum, a slick-shooting guard whose game — centered around timing, craft and guile rather than impressive physical tools — figures to age fairly gracefully.
Plum is a malleable player and will immediately fill a position of need for the Sparks, whose backcourt ranked as one of the WNBA's worst in 2024. With Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, Dearica Hamby and Azura Stevens already in their ranks, Plum's addition likely pushes Los Angeles into contention for a postseason berth.
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There's still some uncertainty about Plum's future. She's tended to perform best when playing alongside a lead playmaker. Assuming Plum commits to her new franchise long-term, Los Angeles' front office's next plans should revolve around securing a true facilitator.
There's also the fact that Plum doesn't really fit into the Sparks' current timeline. Brink and Jackson are entering their second seasons, with the former recovering from an ACL tear. The Sparks don't appear all that close to competing for a title — an 8-32 record in 2024 serving as the most notable proof.
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Paige Bueckers looks like a clear choice for the No. 1 selection. But there also appears to be a clearly defined No. 2 prospect in Notre Dame point guard Olivia Miles. Guard prospects are worth their weight in gold in the W. Miles looks to be one of the best in recent memory. Is a Plum-led Los Angeles better positioned than the likes of New York, Las Vegas, Minnesota and Indiana to compete for a league title in the next few years? Because if not, Miles would've been a more cost-effective and future-forward addition.
Las Vegas Aces grade: C+
On her day, Loyd is as formidable as they come, a captivating blend of size and skill capable of scoring over any defender. As of late, those days have been few and far between.
Loyd's scoring prowess knows no bounds. But her efficiency has tailed off tremendously in the past three seasons. In 2024, Loyd made just 36 percent of her field goal attempts. She hit 27.4 percent of her triples despite launching the 13th-most three-pointers in the league.
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Loyd is still a good player, and Las Vegas' system should open up looks for her. She hit her highest peaks playing alongside Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird. A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young should be able to offer Loyd similar privileges.
Still, the nature of Loyd's recent decline leaves a lot to be desired. Surrendering a first-round pick in 2026 also isn't ideal.
Plum wanted out, and the Aces did well to recoup some value for her. But they'll need Loyd to turn back the clock — and perhaps deliver another title to Sin City — to feel really good about the move.
Seattle Storm grade: A
The Storm are the clear winner of the Plum-Loyd trade, netting the most coveted of assets in return for their longtime star — a blue-chip prospect.
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Who that blue chipper is remains to be seen, although Miles seems the most likely candidate. The Fighting Irish standout is a gifted passer and high-level shooter, averaging 16.4 points, 6.9 assists and 6.2 rebounds on 53.6/43.6/78.9 shooting splits as of Jan. 27.
Presuming Miles declares, she looks to be the most likely candidate for Seattle at No. 2. She'd fit in nicely with the Storm, who are already teeming with young talent in the form of Ezi Magbegor and Jordan Horston.
Not many deals would've offered Seattle a platform to find its floor general of the future. This one did. And for that, Storm fans should be very grateful.