Jewell Loyd To Go To Aces In Three Way Trade With Kelsey Plum

The Seattle Storm are trading six-time WNBA All-Star Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces in a three way trade that lands Kelsey Plum on the Los Angeles Sparks. The Los Angeles Sparks will receive three-time All-Star guard Kelsey Plum along with the number nine pick in this season's draft, and a future second round pick. The Las Vegas Aces get Jewell Loyd, who is considered one of the best guards in the league currently, and the 13th pick in the upcoming draft. The Seattle Storm (the third party in this trade) will get the number two pick in this season's draft, a future second round pick, and Li Yeuru, a 6-7 center. Grading The Trade Las Vegas Aces Trade Grade: B+ Despite gaining Jewell Loyd, they had to not only give up their starting PG, but also a first round pick. I feel like they got enough to put them back in the mix for the championship again next season, but also could have done a better job bargaining. I would have preferred to see them give up multiple second round picks instead of their first round pick. Overall, I would say the Aces didn’t win but didn’t lose. They were somewhere in the middle. Seattle Storm Trade Grade: B We knew Jewell Loyd wanted out of Seattle, so seeing her go was no surprise. However, Seattle did a really nice job of acquiring nearly every possible aspect they could have wanted. The Storm acquired two first round picks (Including the #2 pick in the upcoming draft, which is projected to be used on USC Guard Kiki Iriafen) and also a decent center. Considering what was at the line on the market, Seattle’s executive staff did a fine job. If they had gotten a better player too, like a guard in return, it would have been beautiful. Adjusting to life without Loyd will be difficult, and the Storm may struggle early in the season until they develop slightly more chemistry. Los Angeles Sparks Trade Grade: B+ While not entirely losing their first round pick by acquiring the number nine pick instead of the two, and also brought in a star point guard which will be crucial if they want to make it past the first round of the playoffs now that the league talent/popularity is really growing. However, they did give up the #2 pick, and I would have liked to see them fight a little harder to keep that pick considering how their team did last season, and how much younger aspects would really help. Overall, the Sparks did a good job and made a great addition to their squad. Will This Trade Earn The Aces a Championship this Season? The Aces were already a contender, and Kelsey Plum was having a break-out season. Even though they didn’t make it far into the playoffs, you can blame that on Jackie Young being injured for the first half of the season. While adding Jewell Loyd does improve their back-court, this trade could easily back-fire depending on how good Kelsey Plum develops this season for the Sparks. I think the Aces will go back to the WNBA finals this season, but I think they would have had about the same odds if they hadn’t made the trade. Could The Storm Have Gotten A Better Deal For Loyd While they didn’t get a player with nearly equal talent, they seemed invested in the prospect of a pick in the draft. I think the Storm did a fine job pleasing everybody, so we didn’t see Jewell Loyd demand a trade like Butler is doing over in the NBA. I kind of hoped the Storm would have tried to only do a two team trade though, which would have ensured they could get what only they and the other team wanted, instead of having to please a third party, but overall, they did this trade nicely.