Kelsey Plum heads to Phoenix Mercury in blockbuster deal hours before WNBA trade deadline

Kelsey Plum is headed to Phoenix.The Los Angeles Sparks traded the five-time All-Star guard to the Phoenix Mercury late Saturday night in exchange for Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick.CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGEThe blockbuster deal came just hours before Sunday afternoon’s WNBA trade deadline and sent the biggest available name on the market to a Mercury team trying to make another postseason run.Plum, a two-time WNBA champion, has not played since June 21 because of a lower left leg injury. She was expected to return Sunday against the Portland Fire on a minutes restriction, though it is not yet clear whether she will be available when Phoenix visits the Chicago Sky on Monday.The 31-year-old was putting together one of the best statistical seasons of her career before the injury.