The Three-Team Trade: Who Came Out on Top?
The Trade
The biggest trade of the WNBA offseason was agreed to on Sunday, sending Jewell Loyd to the Aces, Kelsey Plum to the Sparks, and center Li Yueru plus the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft to the Storm.
The Breakdown
At first glance, it would appear as if the Sparks and Aces came up winners in this trade. The Storm, however, got the return with the most upside.
The Storm’s Smart Move
Loyd’s trade request in December could have put the Storm at a serious disadvantage in trade discussions. Because Loyd made it clear that her desired destination was the Aces, some of the leverage Storm general manager Talisa Rhea and associate general manager Pokey Chatman had was diminished. In all respects, the Storm didn’t need to do right by Loyd. The WNBA is a business, and they could have executed a trade that ignored her desires and catered solely to the best return. Instead, they got Loyd to her desired destination and their needs met.
The Sparks’ and Aces’ Perspectives
The Sparks had no solid path toward trading up in the draft for Bueckers. Getting Plum essentially gives them a No. 1 overall pick in her prime. Trading for Plum gives the Sparks a clear path out of playoff purgatory and could speed up their return to title contention if they are able to make the right moves in 2026.
The Aces, on the other hand, acquired Loyd, which helps them keep their window open as a title contender. However, there are questions about the fit. With A’ja Wilson, Loyd, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young all in the fold, they will need to figure out a hierarchy and roles. Loyd’s efficiency was the worst of her career last season, which could be attributed to fit with new Storm teammates Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike.
The Future
There is uncertainty regarding who will be available at No. 2 in the 2025 WNBA draft. Paige Bueckers could technically end up returning to UConn for her final year of eligibility. If Bueckers pulls an Eli Manning and refuses to play for the Wings, they could end up dealing the No. 1 pick for a lofty price tag. The Storm are now in a position to make a substantial offer to trade up one place in the draft. Adding Bueckers to a team that includes Diggins-Smith and Ezi Magbegor and is expected to re-sign Gabby Williams and Nneka Ogwumike not only keeps them in title contention, it also helps them evade any lengthy rebuild in the coming years.
Conclusion
In the end, the Storm came out on top in this trade, getting the return with the most upside. While the Sparks and Aces may have gotten what they wanted, the Storm’s smart move in getting Loyd to her desired destination and acquiring the No. 2 overall pick in the draft sets them up for long-term success.
FAQs
* Who did the Storm, Aces, and Sparks trade?
+ The Storm traded Jewell Loyd to the Aces, Kelsey Plum to the Sparks, and center Li Yueru plus the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft to the Storm.
* Why did the Storm get the best return in this trade?
+ The Storm got Loyd to her desired destination and acquired the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, which gives them a clear path to rebuild and contend in the future.
* What does this trade mean for the Sparks and Aces?
+ The Sparks got Plum, which gives them a clear path out of playoff purgatory and could speed up their return to title contention. The Aces acquired Loyd, which helps them keep their window open as a title contender, but there are questions about the fit.
