New WNBA Trade Rumors on Kelsey Plum, Alyssa Thomas, More Ahead of 2026 Deadline

Los Angeles Sparks star Kelsey Plum could be a player to keep an eye on before the WNBA trade window closes Sunday.

The Athletic's Annie Costabile reported Tuesday the Sparks have not yet "engaged in meaningful trade talks" regarding Plum despite her expiring contract.

"The sense from sources around the league... is that the 31-year-old guard does not intend to re-sign with the Sparks as a free agent," Costabile reported.

The Sparks are currently outside the playoff picture after a 10-16 start to the season.

Plum has earned a fifth straight All-Star nod while averaging a career-high 23.9 points through 12 games in her second season with the franchise.

Costabile floated the Washington Mystics as a potential landing spot for Plum because of her potential fit with fellow All-Star Sonia Citron.

Another star player on an expiring contract is former Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier, who just returned from ankle surgery that sidelined her for the first 27 games of the season. Costabile reported Collier's contract status means she "has to be considered a trade option."

The Lynx lead the WNBA with a 22-6 slate, however, which could lead the franchise to take a chance on keeping Collier for another postseason run despite her expiring deal.

The Phoenix Mercury were discussing potential trades involving forward Alyssa Thomas earlier this season, but talks "have since gone cold," Costabile reported.

Thomas is signed through the 2028 season. She has averaged 14.4 points, seven rebounds and 8.3 assists per game for the Mercury, which could be sellers at the deadline after a 10-18 start to the season.

Another player who has been subject of trade talks this season is the New York Liberty's Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, according to Costabile.

Laney-Hamilton is playing this season on an expiring contract. After missing the 2025 season following left knee surgery, she has seen limited playing time mostly while coming off the bench for the Liberty this season.

Talks have not so far progressed because of what Costabile reported is seen as a "prohibitively high asking price" from the Liberty, a team that is likely hoping to make a playoff run this fall.

Costabile described the Connecticut Sun as a possible landing spot for Laney-Hamilton. Sun forward Aneesah Morrow has also featured in trade discussions this season, according to Costabile.

Morrow, who is signed through the 2027 season with a club option for 2028 on her rookie contract, is averaging 10.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game during her second WNBA season. The Sun are also likely sellers due to their Eastern Conference-worst 7-20 record.

The WNBA trade window closes at 3 p.m. ET Sunday. Plum and Collier will be two names to keep an eye on as the Sparks and Lynx finalize their deadline plans.