The Aces have thrived with players selected at the top of the WNBA draft, but they have also made key additions in free agency over the years.

Stars Jewell Loyd and Kelsey Plum are on the move after Sunday's massive trade. The Las Vegas Aces will acquire Loyd in a three-team deal.

That epitomized the late NBA great’s relationship with the women’s game. After his 20-year playing career ended, Bryant turned his focus to the next generation, mentoring some of women’s basketball’s biggest stars, from WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist Diana Taurasi to former Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu.

Many WNBA players believe Kobe Bryant would be pleased with the overall progress of women’s sports, which have skyrocketed in popularity and reach in recent years.

But Plum’s move wasn’t the only splash. WNBA champion Jewell Loyd, who requested a trade at the end of last year, is also on the move, taking Plum’s roster spot in Las Vegas as part of a three-team trade.

Plum helped the Aces win consecutive WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023. Loyd, a six-time All-Star, requested a trade last month out of Seattle

Las Vegas Aces trade Kelsey Plum to Los Angeles Sparks, acquiring Jewell Loyd, with Seattle Storm getting No. 2 draft.

In a stunning WNBA trade that has set the league on fire, Kelsey Plum is heading to the Los Angeles Sparks while Jewell Loyd is making her way to the reigning champions, the Las Vegas Aces. This massive roster shake-up comes after Loyd’s request for a trade following allegations of harassment within the Seattle Storm organization.

Kelsey Plum is headed to Los Angeles as part of a three-way trade that will send Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces, according to a person familiar with the deal.

The Los Angeles Sparks, Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm agreed to a multi-team deal that will see Kelsey Plum head to Southern California and Jewell Loyd to Sin City, ESPN's Shams Charania, Ramona Shelburne, Kendra Andrews and Alexa Philippou reported Sunday, citing league sources.

In the second week of Unrivaled action, Sparks stars Dearica Hamby and Rickea Jackson had some stellar performances.