Liberty among WNBA trade deadline losers with key questions looming

The WNBA trade deadline historically is a dull date in the calendar. The league’s hard salary cap makes it difficult to maneuver midseason trades.That didn’t change in the new collective bargaining agreement, which drastically increased player wages. But this year’s deadline did yield two notable trades, including a blockbuster move that sent Kelsey Plum to the Mercury.  Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA.

Plum is only the fourth All-Star in league history to be part of a midseason trade, according to ESPN. Here’s a brief look at some potential winners and losers of this year’s trade deadline: Sparks The Sparks saw the writing on the wall and acted accordingly.They previously had traded a major haul to acquire Plum before last season.

That included sending away the No.2 pick of the 2025 WNBA draft, which the Seattle Storm turned into Dominique Malonga. Plum was in Los Angeles for not even two years and planned to test free agency in the offseason.

The Sparks, who are 5 ½ games out of a playoff spot with 17 left to play, needed to get some return as they look toward their future. The Sparks added Monique Akoa Makani, who’s under contract through 2027 before becoming a reserved free agent, plus Phoenix’s 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-rounder. Sun and Tempo Connecticut traded Aneesah Morrow to Toronto for the player rights of Maria “Masha” Kliundikova and the Tempo’s 2028 second-rounder.Overall, this seemed like a win-win situation for all involved. The Tempo filled the need for a young big, with Morrow’s rookie contract running through 2028. Meanwhile, the Sun get a solid player in Kliundikova plus a future pick.

The only major concern with Kliundikova is her availability — it’s unclear whether Kliundikova will return to the WNBA next season — but she could be a solid addition if she chooses to come over. V...