Joy Taylor covers three top stories: the Sparks trading WNBA champion Kelsey Plum (out since June 21 with a lower leg injury) to the Phoenix Mercury for Monique Ekaja Makoni plus a 2027 first-round pick and 2028 second rounder, a move she says makes sense for struggling L.A. (10–17, six-game skid) but is risky for Phoenix given Plum’s expiring deal and impending free agency. She reacts to Kevin Durant’s comments on LeBron James joining Philadelphia, noting the Sixers’ star-heavy lineup (Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron, Joel Embiid) and arguing it should be “championship or bust.” Finally, she highlights Victor Wembanyama’s five-year, $252M Spurs extension, renewed Nike deal, upcoming “Wemby One” signature shoe, and his growing status as a league-defining star.