Rich Paul’s Influence in Kelsey Plum Trade Emerges as National Reporter Hints Only 1-Year Deal for Newest LA Sparks Star

Kelsey Plum is finally on the move! After months of speculation, it is now finally official! Plum is on her way to the Los Angeles Sparks in a three-team trade. The deal shakes up the WNBA landscape, with the Las Vegas Aces landing Jewell Loyd and the No. 13 pick, while the Seattle Storm secure the No. 2 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft along with Li Yueru. Shams Charania broke the big news for ESPN, revealing a historic WNBA trade. For the first time ever, two No. 1 draft picks were involved in the same trade, marking a major moment in the WNBA history.

Plum, the No. 1 pick of the 2017 draft, spent her entire career with the Las Vegas Aces and played a key role in their back-to-back championship wins in 2022 and 2023. Various sources have confirmed that it was Kelsey who wanted to move on, despite the Aces designating her as a core player.

Aces fans might feel the sting of losing a superstar like Kelsey Plum, but they have plenty to celebrate with the arrival of Jewell Loyd. A two-time WNBA champion and the No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft, Loyd has firmly established herself as one of the league’s best. Last season, she averaged 19.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, proving she’s more than capable of stepping into Plum’s role.

As analysts dive deep into the trade, one name that keeps coming up is that of Rich Paul. The CEO of Klutch Sports, which represents major names like LeBron James and A’Ja Wilson, once again demonstrates his influence in the basketball world. Ben Pickman of The Athletic sits down with Zena Keita to discuss Rich Paul’s role in this move.

In the Athletic Women’s Basketball Show, Pickman says, “It’s significant in this kind of transactions (referring to the trade) A’Ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young all have the same agency representation.” ” They are all represented by Klutch Sports Group and that’s not to say that you need to have all your players repped by the same agency.” He continues, “Kelsey Plum has different representation, who is Jewell Loyd’s representation? She is also a Klutch Sport athlete.”

When you see an entire team’s core represented by the same agency, it’s like a well-oiled machine behind the scenes. Smooth, synchronized, and calm. But with Kelsey Plum’s situation, the waters seemed a lot murkier. Was this a calculated move? Maybe. But as fans, we can only speculate.

According to Ben Pickman, the prospect of being the face of a franchise might have been the key for Kelsey to switch while also having the power to negotiate a one-year supermax deal thanks to the core designation or to negotiate a multi-year deal. He says, “It’s certainly possible that Kelsey Plum agrees to only a one-year super-max deal as a result of getting the core designation and then renegotiate long term next off-season when the cap is expected to spike significantly or she could sign a multi-year deal right now and ink that commitment now.” Beckman reiterates that he doesn’t think Plum will sign a multi-year given the financial upside next year when the cap increases.

With Plum and Jewell Loyd headlining the first blockbuster trade of the window, the WNBA landscape is already shifting. But this is just the beginning! Who else could be packing their bags and heading to new teams? Let’s dive into the next big moves that could shake up the league!

Which Big Names Could Follow Kelsey Plum and Jewell Loyd to New Destinations?

1. Chennedy Carter

Despite Chennedy Carter’s tumultuous past with previous teams, the Golden State Valkyries may see her as the offensive spark they need in their debut season.

Coach Nakase betting on Carter’s explosive scoring to set the Chase Center ablaze and bring an edge to their offense wouldn’t be a bad choice. With little to lose and everything to gain, the Valkyries will hope Carter’s potential can help carve out their identity in this bold new chapter.

2. Satou Sabally 

As trade rumors swirl around Satou Sabally, her future remains uncertain. After already getting linked with Indiana fever, the experts now think New York Liberty could be the perfect landing spot. Not only would she reunite with college teammate Sabrina Ionescu, but also her sister Nyara Sabally.

Adding extra chemistry to an already stacked roster. With a potential trade package involving Leonie Fiebich, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, and a 2026 first-round pick, the defending champions might just have the winning offer to land Sabally.

The WNBA off-season is already filled with excitement following the Kelsey Plum-Jewell Loyd blockbuster trade. With other stars like Chennedy Carter and Satou Sabally potentially on the move.  The next few weeks are sure to bring even more surprises as teams look to build their championship-contending rosters!