Report: Storm trade Loyd to Aces, Plum joins Sparks in 3-team deal
The Seattle Storm are trading Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces as part of a three-team deal, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania, Ramona Shelburne, Alexa Philippou, and Kendra Andrews.
The trade will also reportedly send Kelsey Plum from Las Vegas to the Los Angeles Sparks.
Seattle is acquiring the second overall pick in the 2025 draft from L.A., plus 25-year-old Chinese center Li Yueru, ESPN reports. The Sparks will reportedly land the No. 9 pick from the Storm, and the Aces will get Los Angeles' 13th overall selection.
The blockbuster offseason swap satisfies the trade request made by Loyd in December. The six-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year asked to be dealt away from the franchise that drafted her first overall in 2015 hours after the organization cleared its coaching staff following an investigation into allegations of bullying and harassment against players.
Loyd reportedly filed a complaint against the staff and was heavily involved in the subsequent investigation. Multiple Storm players had reportedly been subjected to alleged bullying by coaches during games and practices. However, Seattle announced Dec. 4 that "there were no findings of policy violations or any discrimination, harassment, or bullying" during its investigation.
In Las Vegas, Loyd now forms a Big Three with three-time MVP A'ja Wilson and new backcourt partner Jackie Young under head coach Becky Hammon. Six-time All-Star guard Chelsea Gray also remains under contract.
Plum departs the Aces after helping the organization win back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023. A former winner of the Sixth Woman of the Year award, the 30-year-old Washington product was selected first overall in 2017 by the Aces' previous iteration, the San Antonio Stars. The team moved to Las Vegas following her rookie season.
Now equipped with this year's second overall pick, Seattle will likely aim to find a new franchise star in the April 14 event.
UConn star Paige Bueckers is projected to be the No. 1 selection by the Dallas Wings, though the senior guard has another year of college eligibility and has yet to confirm if she'll declare for the draft. Beyond Bueckers, the Storm could still have several talented options to potentially choose from, including Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles and UCLA standout center Lauren Betts.