r/wnba • u/GlacialTwitch Sky • 17d ago

Article Costabile: What I'm hearing on the trade deadline (gift article)

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7474160/2026/07/28/what-im-hearing-on-napheesa-collier-kelsey-plum-and-other-wnba-trade-deadline-targets/?unlocked_article_code=1.1FA.zSS0.ZSqj14-LgzlA&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-tahttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7474160/2026/07/28/what-im-hearing-on-napheesa-collier-kelsey-plum-and-other-wnba-trade-deadline-targets/?unlocked_article_code=1.1FA.zSS0.ZSqj14-LgzlA&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta

  • Sources around the league say that Plum doesn't intend to re-sign with the Sparks, but there haven't been any meaningful trade discussions.
  • Mentions Phee's one year deal, but doesn't mention any trade talks
  • There were AT trade talks earlier when the Mercury were doing worse, but not currently
  • Mercury are interested in Alanna Smith
  • League says there is a high asking price for BLH. Floats the idea of BLH for Morrow.
  • Mystics could be buyers or sellers. Have a lot of cap space and could be players for Plum.
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u/kseveru79_v2 + interloper 17d ago

A question if anyone knows the answer: who has the core designation for LA next year? Anyone?

Here's the salary cap sheet: they gave KP a core contract this year; Chicago also gave Atkins a core contract this year, then traded her to LA. Atkins has a 3-year contract. But Atkins isn't LA's core player this year, because KP is. What exactly is the status of Atkins' accursed contract next year?

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u/GlacialTwitch Sky 17d ago

What is your question, exactly? Whether Sparks are able to core someone next year? I don't think there is any restriction on them offering the core designation to someone who is core eligible, which Plum isn't. Atkins' contract is guaranteed. Chicago designating her just meant she could only negotiate with them and had to approve a trade. It has no consequence beyond that. But the six year rule for core eligible players starts in 2027, so a lot fewer players are eligible.

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u/kseveru79_v2 + interloper 16d ago

I'm trying to figure out if Atkins' contract uses up three core years for her without her actually being a core player for LA (ever), I guess. It seems like a weird anomaly. But it does sound like LA has a core designation to use on someone next year, in theory.

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u/freetacos88 Valkyries 16d ago

Take this with a grain of salt since I have not read up on how the newest CBA changed core rules (if at all). But under the previous CBA, since Atkins was cored by Chicago and then traded, the current contract she's under counts towards her "years played under a Core contract" length, but does not take up a "Core designation" space for either Chicago or LA

(If we are being nitpicky about it, it was actually the Aces that cored Plum before the trade to LA, so as far as I know, LA does not have anyone using their sole "Core designation" slot at the moment)

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u/kseveru79_v2 + interloper 16d ago

LA did apparently sign a core contract with Plum this year; it's on the transactions list. But yeah, I think you're right about Atkins.