Kelsey Plum took a risk — is it paying off?

Kelsey Plum made a significant decision to leave the Las Vegas Aces, where she had achieved considerable success including two WNBA championships, three All-Star selections, and a Sixth Player of the Year award, to join the Los Angeles Sparks via a three-team trade in the offseason.

The Sparks, coming off a league-worst 8-12 season and missing out on the top draft pick, traded the No. 2 pick (which became Dominique Malonga) to acquire Plum, signaling a shift away from rebuilding.

Plum's time with the Sparks has been a mix of highs and lows. While she is averaging a career-high 20.1 points per game, her shooting efficiency has declined significantly compared to her 2023 championship season with the Aces (down from 47.5% FG and 38.9% 3PT to 39.1% FG and 35% 3PT). She is also attempting more shots (15.1 FGA per game) and committing more turnovers (3.3 per game), reflecting her new role as the primary offensive focus instead of playing alongside stars like A'ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray.

Despite the challenges, the Sparks have shown improvement (7-14 record so far) compared to last year's 8 wins, even with significant injuries like Cameron Brink (ACL, yet to debut) and Rae Burrell missing most of the season. Plum has delivered key performances in their wins, including a 37-point opening game and a recent 23-point game in a victory over the Connecticut Sun.

Meanwhile, the Aces, whom Plum left, have struggled, holding a 10-11 record. Her replacement, Jewell Loyd (acquired in the same trade), has not matched Plum's previous production, averaging 10.1 points on 37.9% shooting.

The article concludes that while the ultimate success of Plum's move is still uncertain, she is now the undisputed leader ("head of the snake") of the Sparks for the first time in her career. The Sparks show potential for improvement with Brink's impending return and players like Azurá Stevens and Rickea Jackson finding their rhythm, but their success hinges significantly on Plum's performance.