The highly anticipated return of Kelsey Plum to Seattle, now as a member of the Los Angeles Sparks, provides a pivotal moment to thoroughly evaluate the significant three-team trade that reshaped the WNBA landscape and sent former Storm star Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces.
Plum’s homecoming marks her first appearance in Seattle with a new team and reunited with her former Washington Huskies coach, Mike Neighbors, under whose guidance she led the Huskies to three NCAA tournaments, including a memorable Final Four run in 2016. Her transition to the Sparks aimed to bolster their offense, a critical need for the team that finished last in the league in 2024.
From the Seattle Storm’s perspective, the trade brought in valuable primary compensation in the form of multiple first-round draft picks. The focus now shifts to the development of players like the 6-foot-6 French center, Malonga, who has shown flashes of potential, contributing significantly in limited minutes during key games, though her consistency remains a point of observation for the Storm’s bench.
However, the full impact of the trade on the Storm is nuanced. The departure of Li Yueru, another promising 6-7 center who requested a trade after just nine games, presented an unforeseen challenge, potentially diminishing the overall return Seattle could have optimized from the blockbuster deal.
Meanwhile, Jewell Loyd’s tenure with the Las Vegas Aces has seen a notable shift in her statistical output. Her current scoring average represents her lowest since her rookie season in 2015, coupled with a career-low in assists per game. Furthermore, her reduced attempts from the free-throw line, a significant part of her offensive game with the Storm, highlight a clear adjustment period within the Aces’ system.
Recently, Loyd experienced her first benching since 2019, breaking a remarkable streak of 196 consecutive starts. While she responded with an impressive 20-point performance in her initial game off the bench, demonstrating her scoring capability, her subsequent game saw a regression in efficiency, underscoring the ongoing challenges in her new role.
On a more positive note for the Aces, backup guard Aaliyah Nye, acquired via one of the picks from the trade, has proven to be a pleasant surprise. Her consistent playing time and scoring contributions have positioned her as one of the top-performing rookies selected in the second round, adding unexpected depth to the Aces’ roster.
Collectively, the trade’s ramifications are still unfolding, particularly for the Las Vegas Aces, who have already matched their loss total from the previous year. Their current standing places them in jeopardy of finishing outside the top four teams for the first time since 2018, illustrating the profound impact of roster changes and player transitions on championship aspirations.
Leave a Reply