Who won the three-team trade between the Storm, Aces and Sparks?

The biggest trade of the WNBA offseason was agreed to on Sunday, sending Jewell Loyd to the Aces, Kelsey Plum to the Sparks and center Li Yueru plus the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft to the Storm.

The three-team trade also included several other draft assets acquired by each team. At first glance, it would appear as if the Sparks and Aces came up winners in this trade. The Storm, however, got the return with the most upside.

Loyd’s trade request in December could have put the Storm at a serious disadvantage in trade discussions. Because Loyd made it clear that her desired destination was the Aces, some of the leverage Storm general manager Talisa Rhea and associate general manager Pokey Chatman had was diminished.

In all respects, the Storm didn't need to do right by Loyd. The WNBA is a business and they could have executed a trade that ignored her desires and catered solely to the best return. Instead, they got Loyd to her desired destination and their needs met.

Early in trade discussions, the Storm were offered a package that did not include the No. 2 overall pick, according to multiple league sources. The Sparks were trying their best to retain the pick and get Plum. That was originally one of the reasons the trade was being held up. The Storm also tried to get 2024 All-Rookie team member Rickea Jackson included in the package.

Dealing Jackson was a nonstarter for the Sparks, but the Storm holding firm on their demands for the No. 2 pick to be included could end up helping them win this trade in the long run.

There is uncertainty regarding who will be available at No. 2 in the 2025 WNBA draft. Paige Bueckers could technically end up returning to UConn for her final year of eligibility.

If Bueckers pulls an Eli Manning and refuses to play for the Wings, they could end up dealing the No. 1 pick for a lofty price tag. The Storm are now in a position to make a substantial offer to trade up one place in the draft. Adding Bueckers to a team that includes Skylar Diggins-Smith and Ezi Magbegor and is expected to re-sign Gabby Williams and Nneka Ogwumike not only keeps them in title contention, it also helps them evade any lengthy rebuild in the coming years.

The Sparks had no solid path toward trading up in the draft for Bueckers. Getting Plum essentially gives them a No. 1 overall pick in her prime. Plum was drafted first overall by the San Antonio Stars in 2017 before the team relocated to Las Vegas as the Aces. Trading for Plum gives the Sparks a clear path out of playoff purgatory and could speed up their return to title contention if they are able to make the right moves in 2026.

As long as three-time MVP A'ja Wilson is in Las Vegas, the Aces owe it to her to do everything to maintain their status as a title contender. Acquiring Loyd helps them keep that window open, but there are questions about the fit. With Wilson, Loyd, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young all in the fold, they will need to figure out a hierarchy and roles. Loyd's efficiency was the worst of her career last season, which could be attributed to fit with new Storm teammates Diggins-Smith and Ogwumike. In Las Vegas, Loyd will not be the first option, which likely had to be communicated on the front end. Based on what Loyd accomplished with former championship teammates Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart, this fit could pay dividends for both sides.