It has only been a couple of months since DeWanna Bonner left the Connecticut Sun to join the Indiana Fever, following head coach Stephanie White to help strengthen the team’s defense. But after failing to deliver the kind of impact many had hoped for, the Fever have now officially waived her. Still, was this really a move driven by Caitlin Clark and company?
Probably not. All this happened at a time when Bonner has not been part of the team since June 10, due to personal reasons. And, according to multiple league sources, the WNBA champion had no intention of rejoining the group—her preferred landing spot all along was the Phoenix Mercury, where her fiancée, Alyssa Thomas, plays.
So, it’s easy to see now why Bonner’s agent, Mike Cound, had “no comment” when asked about her standing with the Fever. Though when Bonner was finally asked about it, she clarified the situation. “Despite our shared goals and excitement heading into the season, I felt the fit did not work out, and I appreciate the organization’s willingness to grant my request to move on, particularly at this point in my career,” she said. “I wish the Fever great success as they continue to build around this dynamic group of young players.”
Now that she’s been waived, the spotlight shifts to Phoenix. While it’s no secret Bonner is comfortable reuniting with Alyssa Thomas, the question is whether the Mercury are also on board, especially considering the team has been playing well, even with Thomas sidelined for parts of the season due to injury.
But Mercury rookie guard Akoa Makani made it clear there’s no concern about Bonner disrupting team chemistry. “I feel like the coaching staff, and even like every individual in here, has made the effort every day to strengthen the team chemistry,” Makani said, per an X post from Desert Wave Media. “And so whoever has to come in is going to fit anyways, so I’m not scared about that.”
Phoenix Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani said she’s not worried about the Mercury’s chemistry changing if they sign DeWanna Bonner.
“Whoever has to come in is going to fit anyways, so I’m not scared about that.”#WNBA pic.twitter.com/Y9p5NZjf2I
— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) June 25, 2025
Well, it’s a fair point, considering what Bonner brings to the table. Sure, her stats with the Fever were down this season, but before that, she consistently averaged around 15 points per game. More importantly, she’s one of the most versatile scorers in the league, whether it’s pull-up jumpers, spot-up threes, mid-range shots, or finishing over defenders.
Her skill set complements stars like Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner perfectly. By adding in her résumé, six-time All-Star, over 7,400 career points, and known for her poise in high-pressure moments, it’s easy to understand why Phoenix would want her back.
Even Mercury GM Jim Pitman has already called her “one of the best in the world,” praising her selfless mindset, locker room leadership, and high basketball IQ. So, if Bonner does land in Phoenix, don’t be surprised if this veteran core suddenly becomes a serious threat to top-tier teams like the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty. But her chances aren’t just limited to playing with the team!
Not just experience, but motivation helps DeWanna Bonner to make space at the Phoenix Mercury!
For Bonner, committing to the Mercury also means staying close to her partner and family—something that benefits her both on and off the court. She’s acknowledged this in the past. “She helps me with my anxiety, especially during the season. I’m a high-stress person—not just during the season but in general. I don’t like unknown things. I think she calms me down and reminds me that everything’s going to work out. And it always does,” Bonner once told Essence.
And honestly, that kind of support is exactly what she needs at this low point in her career. Just consider this—she’s averaging only 7.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting just 33.5% from the field. Statistically, she’s also posted the worst on/off differential on the Fever roster.
Jun 7, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Indiana Fever forward DeWanna Bonner (25) shoots against the Chicago Sky during the first half of a WNBA game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
That’s a big concern, especially for someone who’s the WNBA’s all-time leader in games played. So it makes sense why she’d want to sign with Phoenix, and the Mercury seems to reflect the same sentiment.
The challenge? Bonner is coming off a one-year deal worth $200,000. The Phoenix Mercury currently have just around $88,103 in cap space, which means Bonner-level contracts are likely out of reach without some maneuvering. Realistically, teams would need to bundle multiple contracts just to make the math work in any trade. So the question remains—can they pull it off? Will it work?
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