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ESPN Expert Predicts Major Kelsey Plum Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Jan 17, 2025 8:45 AM ET

Star guard Kelsey Plum is one of the biggest names to watch in WNBA free agency. While the Las Vegas Aces have cored the playmaker, meaning they have exclusive negotiation rights with her, it doesn't mean she'll stay with the team.

As the WNBA explained, a core designation is basically the league's version of the NFL's franchise tag. A player given the core qualifying offer cannot sign with any other franchise and can only negotiate a contract with the team that cored her. In return, the player gets a one-year deal on the maximum base salary available to her.

In Plum's case, she'll receive a fully guaranteed, one-year supermax contract worth $249,244.

Despite that, should Plum desire to leave, the Aces can trade her. And by giving her the core qualifying offer, the Las Vegas franchise still gets something in return instead of losing her for nothing in unrestricted free agency.

That being said, ESPN WNBA reporter Kevin Pelton believes Plum is on her way out of Las Vegas. According to Pelton when discussing bold predictions for free agency, he sees the newest expansion franchise, the Golden State Valkyries, making a move for the three-time All-Star.

"The Valkyries trade a package including the No. 5 pick to land Plum as the face of the franchise -- reuniting her with former Aces assistant coach Nakase, now Golden State's head coach," Pelton wrote.

Of course, it's still unknown if Kelsey Plum will really ask for a trade away from Las Vegas, where she has won two WNBA championships. But if she does, it might be hard for the Aces not accept a package that includes the No. 5 pick in the 2025 draft from the Valkyries.

It's worth noting that Plum's numbers decreased during the 2024 season compared to her stats during 2022 and 2023, her other All-Star campaigns. The 30-year-old averaged 17.8 points and 4.2 assists while shooting 42.3 percent from the field.

Negotiations for WNBA contracts officially start on Jan. 21; however, players cannot sign deals until February 1.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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