Aug 12, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the New York Liberty at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Sparks' Kelsey Plum Reveals Reason Behind Las Vegas Aces Departure

Originally posted on Los Angeles Sparks on SI
By Ben Geffner | Last updated Aug 15, 2025 4:30 PM ET

The Las Vegas Aces moved star guard Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks via a blockbuster three-team trade in late January that sent shockwaves through the WNBA world.

While the sign-and-trade request from Plum came in the form of a trade and not a free agent signing, the move was certainly intentional.

Plum, now excelling in 2025 with the purple and gold, discussed her departure from the Aces this past offseason on a recent episode of Sue Bird's "Bird's Eye View" podcast.

Kelsey Plum on her departure from Las Vegas:

“I felt like my growth was capped in Vegas … You start to feel like, okay, ‘Am I becoming the fourth option?’ … There’s a point where you start to feel underappreciated.” (@BEVpod_)

More: https://t.co/oFHHMWZfAQ pic.twitter.com/vskwRQbHB7
— LA Sports Report (@LA_SportsReport) August 15, 2025

“I needed a fresh start, and I felt like my growth was capped in Vegas," Plum said. "You start to feel like, okay, ‘Am I becoming the fourth option?’ — and we're not winning, so it also feels frustrating. [and] there's egos involved.

"Again, it's not just me. That's what happens when you play on a team [like Las Vegas] with a ton of people that are budding stars. You're trying to figure out how to make it work … There’s a point where you start to feel underappreciated," Plum added. "I know I have a lot more in the tank and I know I can lead ... and the opportunity [was] just not here [with the Aces]."

Kelsey Plum puts Minnesota on SKATES for her first-ever home basket in a Sparks uniform. ⛸️

pic.twitter.com/u5AmA7qUQu
— LA Sports Report (@LA_SportsReport) May 18, 2025

Furthermore, Plum previously emphasized her desire to be with the Sparks in a Los Angeles Times article on April 27.

“With all due respect, we finished last last year, so everything that we did last year was thrown out the window," Plum said. "Changing the culture, that’s a day-to-day process.

“It’s the turn of a new leaf in a lot of different ways, in leadership and investment in the franchise. “That’s why I decided to come here ... “I was brought here for a reason," she continued.

Now, Plum has helped lead the red-hot Sparks — one of the streakiest teams in the WNBA — back into playoff contention in 2025.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Sparks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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