Kelsey Plum has been cored by the Las Vegas Aces, which means that she’ll be supplied a one-year supermax contract value $249,244. The core designation additionally takes away her capacity to signal with different WNBA groups.
If Plum desires out of Las Vegas, the truth that she’s been cored ensures that the Aces will at the least get one thing in return for her. If she agrees to remain, she’ll signal that contract and run it again with an Aces squad headlined by longtime teammates A’ja Wilson, Jackie Younger, and Chelsea Grey.
How the core designation works
Groups can use the core designation to realize unique negotiation rights with a participant, even unrestricted free brokers — however gamers can solely be cored twice all through their careers. layers can both signal that one-year take care of their current crew or signal it below the pretense of a commerce request (so the crew signing them at the least will get one thing in return reasonably than watching one among their prime free brokers stroll). Groups can solely use one core designation per season.
Will Kelsey Plum keep in Las Vegas?
Plum, the No. 1 total decide in 2017, has been with the Aces her total profession and was a key a part of two championship groups. Final season, Plum averaged 17.8 factors and 4.2 assists, capturing 42.3% from the sector and 36.8% from three. She’s been an All-Star 3 times in her 8-year profession.
Plum hasn’t spoken publicly about the place she desires to finish up, however she’s been hypothetically linked to the Golden State Valkyries for a slew of causes. Plum is California-raised, and her former assistant coach, Natalie Nakase, is now teaching the Valkyries. On the Valkyries, Plum is also the crew’s major scoring choice, whereas, on the Aces, three-time MVP A’ja Wilson is the crew’s major offensive choice.
If Kelsey Mitchell leaves the Indiana Fever, they is also on the hunt for a high-scoring capturing guard. Plum doesn’t have the very same skillset as Mitchell, however she’s a constant three-point shooter who may play alongside Caitlin Clark.
Moreover, given the truth that Jewell Loyd reportedly requested a commerce from the Seattle Storm, the Storm is also on the hunt for a prolific scorer to switch her.
At this level, the almost definitely consequence nonetheless seems to be that Plum will stick with the franchise she’s had a lot success with — however, she didn’t signal an extension with the Aces and will look to shake up her profession regardless of the soundness that Las Vegas affords.
Plum isn’t the Aces’ solely free agent this winter, however she’s their most impactful. Alysha Clark, Tiffany Hayes, and Sydney Colson are additionally all unrestricted free brokers. Clark was the Sixth Participant of the 12 months in 2023, and Hayes gained that very same award in 2024, averaging 9.5 factors on 50% capturing off the bench. Clark averaged 6 factors and a couple of.6 rebounds off the bench final season.
