Was acquiring Kelsey Plum a wise bold move or a risk too big by the Phoenix Mercury?

The Phoenix Mercury are betting big on Kelsey Plum as they reshape their roster for the 2026 season after multiple blockbuster trades. For the third consecutive year, Phoenix brought in an All-Star-caliber player: Kahleah Copper in 2024, Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally in 2025, and now Plum in 2026. General manager Nick U’Ren framed the approach as “reloading, not rebuilding,” aiming to win “night in and night out,” even with the team sitting 6.5 games behind the final playoff spot. Phoenix can’t fully tank due to the two-year lottery odds rule. ESPN’s BPI gives the Mercury a 7.4% chance of reaching the postseason. Plum’s arrival also comes with a trade cost: Phoenix’s 2027 first-round pick is now with the Los Angeles Sparks.