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What to Know About Womenâs Basketball Today
1. Trade Deadline Decisions Are Almost Here đŹ
The WNBA trade deadline arrives this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, and after weeks of rumors, we're finally about to find out which teams are actually ready to make a move. Several big names have come up in trade rumors, so this is one of the league's most anticipated deadlines in years. (CBS Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: Rumors are fun, but Sunday's deadline will separate fact from fiction. We'll find out whether any big names are headed to new teams and which franchises decide to make one last move before the postseason. We may also get a clearer picture of which teams are focused on building for the future.
2. Kelsey Plum Returns Sunday đ´
After missing time with a lower left leg injury, Kelsey Plum is expected to return Sunday on a minutes restriction when the Sparks take on Portland. Her return comes just as her name continues to come up in trade rumors ahead of Sunday's deadline. (Yahoo Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: No matter what happens at the trade deadline, it's good to have Plum back on the court. Before the injury, she was leading the WNBA in scoring and having the best season of her career.
3. Women's Basketball's NIL Growth Continues đ°
A new report from Learfield found a 123% increase in women's athlete participation in NIL opportunities during the 2025-26 fiscal year. Five years after the NCAA approved NIL, women's basketball now ranks third in NIL revenue behind football and men's basketball. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: NIL has certainly changed college sports, but it's also opened doors for women's basketball players in ways that simply weren't possible a few years ago. Athletes can earn meaningful income while still in school, and many have used those partnerships to build national audiences before reaching the WNBA. That's a big reason so many of today's young pros already have strong followings when they enter the league.
đ Looking for a Slower Way to Enjoy Women's Basketball?
I'll be dropping the August issue of The Post-Up Club in the mail on Saturday. While 30 Second Timeout is all about helping you catch up in three minutes, The Post-Up Club is a chance to slow down and enjoy women's basketball through personal letters and other fun paper surprises delivered right to your mailbox.
If that sounds like your kind of basketball experience, I'd love to have you join me for September.
OVERTIME âąď¸
New Role: Sydney Colson made her debut as an analyst during Prime Video's WNBA broadcast Thursday night.
Climbing the List: Breanna Stewart moved into 10th place on the WNBA's all-time scoring list, passing Candace Parker while Parker was calling the game.
Welcome Back: DiJonai Carrington made her season debut after recovering from a foot injury, finishing with 9 points, 3 rebounds, and a block in fewer than 17 minutes.
đłď¸ Poll Results from Yesterday: We asked whether Chicago can turn its season around with DiJonai Carrington back in the lineup, and most of you aren't convinced just yet. 48% chose "maybe," while 44% said "no." Only a small group believes the Sky are ready to make a second-half push.
