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What to Know About Womenâs Basketball Today
1. Kelsey Plum Heads to Phoenix đľ
The biggest move before Sunday's WNBA trade deadline sent five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum from the Los Angeles Sparks to the Phoenix Mercury. In return, the Sparks received Monique Akoa Makani, Phoenix's 2027 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick. The deadline also saw rookie Aneesah Morrow traded from Connecticut to Toronto as the Sun continue reshaping their roster. (CBS Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: The Plum trade marks just the fourth time in league history that a current All-Star has been traded during the season. It's also surprising because the Sparks gave up significant assets to acquire Plum less than two years ago. Before her injury, she was the WNBA's leading scorer and was expected to return this past weekend. But with rumors already swirling that Plum was unlikely to resign with LA this coming off-season, the Sparks chose to trade her now rather than risk losing her for nothing. Meanwhile, the Morrow trade is another sign Connecticut is focused on the future as the franchise prepares for its move to Houston.
2. Athletes Unlimited Hits Pause â¸ď¸
Athletes Unlimited announced it will not hold a basketball season in 2027, ending an offseason opportunity that has featured many WNBA players in recent years. (Front Office Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: AU gave players another way to compete at a high level without leaving the United States during the WNBA offseason. For many players who aren't part of Unrivaled, this pause could mean returning overseas to earn a paycheck, spending more time away from family and putting additional wear on their bodies. It's also a loss for Nashville fans, who had a chance to watch professional women's basketball in their own city.
3. College Players Push to Unionize đŁ
More than 100 women's college basketball players have joined a new effort to form a players' union, adding another major development to the rapidly changing college sports landscape. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: If successful, this would fundamentally change the relationship between athletes and their schools. There are still plenty of unanswered questions, but the conversation is shifting toward treating student-athletes more like employees than amateurs, which could reshape college sports even more significantly than NIL.
The Story Behind 30 Second Timeout & The Post-Up Club
Last week I had the chance to join Ted on The GoldenPod podcast to talk about why we started 30 Second Timeout and The Post-Up Club, how the two complement each other, and why I believe women's basketball fans deserve options in how they connect with the game. If you've ever been curious about the story behind everything weâve been building, I think you'll enjoy the conversation.
đ Listen to the Conversation on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
OVERTIME âąď¸
Such a Tease: Cleveland's expansion WNBA franchise shared a series of mysterious posts hinting a major announcement this Tuesday.
Lynx Pick-up: Chloe Bibby signed a standard contract with Minnesota after spending much of this season with the Chicago Sky as a developmental player.
UPSHOT Milestone: The Indiana Fever signed Michelle Onyiah to a developmental contract, making her the first player from the new UPSHOT development league to earn a WNBA deal.
đłď¸ Poll Results from Friday: We asked whether we'd see a major WNBA trade before Sunday's deadline, and 64% of you said yes. Looks like most of you were right!
