Why now?
It’s the central question for the Phoenix Mercury about acquiring two-time WNBA champion guard Kelsey Plum.
Why trade for the 31-year-old guard — giving up young, talented guard Monique Akoa Makani plus what could be a 2027 lottery draft pick and a 2028 second-round pick — rather than retain those assets while waiting until the WNBA offseason then go all out to sign Plum as an unrestricted free agent.
“We certainly hopes we’re building something she’s part of for a long time,” Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren said Monday. “We wouldn’t have done this if we didn’t think she capable of fitting in both now and moving forward.
“The chance to get Kelsey into our four walls, have her feel what we’re all about, have her feel our staff, our players, our organizational dynamic was really important to us. We wanted to be aggressive getting her here as early as possible.”
Not to mention that the Mercury still aspire to make an historic comeback run to the WNBA playoffs this season, no matter how far-fetched it seemed going into a Monday game at Chicago with an 11-19 record.
“There’s still a chance,” Plum said during her introductory press conference. “In my mind, that’s what I’m thinking about is chipping away and winning games and trying to get into the playoffs.
“The WNBA is crazy this year. The margin of error is extremely small. You’ve really just got to in (to the playoffs) then it’s a 5-game series, make it shake.”
Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper on addition of Kelsey Plum to #Mercury #WNBA pic.twitter.com/tnjuLyjESh
— jeffmetcalfe (@jeffmetcalfe) August 4, 2026
Plum joined her new team late Sunday after a cross-country flight from Portland, where she expected to play for the first time since June 21 for Los Angeles, and immediately shook up the Mercury and sent some shivers throughout the league.
She scored 20 points in her allotted 20 minutes returning from a leg injury including a 3-pointer with 53 seconds left putting the Mercury ahead for good. It was Plum loudly speaking up during a timeout 10 seconds later, igniting the defense to come up with two steals and a block to put away the Sky 106-101.
The Mercury (now 12-19) edged slightly closer to Washington (16-12) for the eighth and final WNBA playoff berth. They still are 5 ½ games back of the Mystics but play them three times including Sunday as part of their five-game road trip.
U’Ren said Plum “fits with anyone,” which she proved immediately upon reuniting with her 2024 U.S. Olympic teammates Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas. She also knows Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts through USA Basketball.
Copper scored a game-high 31 and Thomas had her second triple-double (19 points, 15 rebounds, 12 assists) of the season. The Mercury needed all of that plus Plum’s 20 and two others in double figures to rally from 99-92 down with a 14-2 run over the final 3:14.
The Sky (11-19) fell below the Mercury in WNBA standings and lost the season series playoff tiebreaker 2-1.
“When you play hard and compete, the game kind of opens up for you,” Plum said before the game. “I’ve studied the playbook, I had a lot of plane flights to do that. I’m as prepared as I can be. Also minus the fact I haven’t played basketball for five weeks. It’s a cocktail for success as far as I’m concerned.”
The Mercury gladly drank it down and will gladly take another Wednesday in Atlanta and on the rest of this season-longest road trip (Connecticut, Washington and a return to LA for Plum).
The rabid Phoenix X-factor fan base will finally get to see Plum in person on Aug. 16, the same game in which Plum’s childhood role model Diana Taurasi will be inducted into the Mercury Ring of Honor.
Kelsey Plum on how much joining #Mercury means in part because of her respect for Diana Taurasi #WNBA pic.twitter.com/bJDTAyYyNK
— jeffmetcalfe (@jeffmetcalfe) August 3, 2026
“That was the reason I started playing basketball,” Plum said of Taurasi, who entire 20-year WNBA career was with the Mercury. “She texted me today and said there’s no she’d rather have (join the Mercury). I’m very honored and excited to go out there and compete.
“There’s a lot of greats that have played for the Mercury. It was really hard to pick a number because every one is almost retired.”
Taurasi’s No. 3 fits that category. Lexi Held current wears Plum’s preferred No. 10. Plum, living the humility she mentioned as important in her transition, looked plenty good wearing No. 0, almost reaching her Sparks season scoring average (23.9 in 12 games).
“I’m where my feet are,” Plum said about her long-term plans that reportedly will include taking free-agent offers before signing for 2027 and beyond. “Two nights ago, I was in Portland and now it’s here. That’s why I’m a professional.”
U’Ren was judicious saving salary cap room, including from Jovana Nogic leaving the Mercury in mid-June, and it paid off with the ability to acquire Plum just before the trade deadline expired.
Re-signing her from the Mercury side is not an option given what they gave up. Copper and Thomas already are signed for 2027 and Thomas for 2028.
The Mercury have not had a first-round draft pick since 2020. Copper, Thomas and Plum are all making $1 million in the first year of the new WNBA collective bargained salary structure.
“We hope she values our time with us and is here for a long time,” U’Ren said.