PHOENIX — The Liberty are among the teams that have thrown their hat in the Kelsey Plum sweepstakes ahead of Sunday’s trade deadline.
The Liberty have expressed interest in the Sparks star, multiple sources told The Post.
Other teams include the Mercury and Dream, sources said.
However, New York’s conversations involving Plum have stalled.
The Sparks view Plum’s value higher than potential suitors who are wary of overpaying for a player who could be only a short-term rental since Plum is set to be a free agent after the season.
Plum emerged as a highly sought-after trade candidate in recent weeks as word got out that she didn’t plan to re-sign with the Sparks after this season.
Kelsey Plum takes a jump shot. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
The Sparks traded a massive haul to acquire Plum before the 2025 season, including the 2025 No. 2 overall pick that the Seattle Storm used on Dominique Malonga.
It would make sense that Los Angeles would try to move Plum to get something in return before she walks in free agency, especially given how the team’s season has gone.
Los Angeles is 10-17 and 11th in the league standings, sitting five games behind the eighth-place Liberty.
Plum, who’s been out since June 21 with a lower left leg injury, is one of the league’s premier scorers. She’s second in the WNBA in scoring, averaging 23.9 points per game this season.
She’s also recorded 2.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 12 games.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Plum said she’s not taking trade talks personally.
“The thing about professional sports is it’s business,” Plum told reporters. “At the end of the day, people have to do what’s best for them, and I respect that. And I’m not taking anything personal. For me, I’m going to be where my feet are.”
Plum also said the plan is for her to play in the Sparks’ next game, which is scheduled to tip off 30 minutes after Sunday’s 3 p.m. deadline.
Obviously, that could change if the Sparks do manage to pull off a rare midseason trade.
The Liberty have actively been engaging in multiple conversations around the league before the deadline.
Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) drives to the basket past New York Liberty guard Rebekah Gardner (7) during the second half of a game at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
They considered making a move for second-year forward Aneesah Morrow, but nothing materialized.
The Sun ultimately traded Morrow to the Tempo on Friday for a 2028 second-round pick and the rights to Maria “Masha” Kliundikov.
The question Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb has to be weighing is whether a move can be made to increase the team’s championship contention odds.
New York moved to 17-13 after Saturday’s 94-92 win over the Mercury and have a comfortable grip on the final playoff spot.
Plum’s addition wouldn’t address the Liberty’s defensive issues, but would make the Liberty’s offense even more elite.
The potential lineup of Sabrina Ionescu, Plum, Leonie Fiebich, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones is a tantalizing prospect.
But New York would likely have to move multiple assets to make it work.
As of now, the Liberty have less than $130,000 in cap space before initiating a trade. Plum is signed to a one-year, $999,999 deal.
The hard cap and larger salaries thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement make it hard to get a midseason trade done.
The Liberty could also ultimately stay pat at the trade deadline and bank on the team getting healthy in time for a playoff push.
Fiebich is on the mend from a left foot injury that’s sidelined her since July 3.
Satou Sabally remains in concussion protocol.
