{"id":47578,"date":"2025-07-08T02:47:08","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T02:47:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/47578\/"},"modified":"2025-07-08T02:47:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T02:47:08","slug":"dewanna-bonner-expected-to-return-to-phoenix-mercury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/47578\/","title":{"rendered":"DeWanna Bonner expected to return to Phoenix Mercury"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"play\"<\/p>\n

How 3 former Phoenix Mercury coaches built a WNBA dynasty<\/p>\n

Phoenix Mercury head coaches Paul Westhead, Corey Gaines and Sandy Brondello each won a WNBA championship as they built a dynasty in the desert.<\/p>\n

DeWanna Bonner’s reunion with the Phoenix Mercury is imminent, according to ESPN on Monday, July 7.<\/p>\n

The WNBA’s No. 3 all-time leading scorer and six-time All-Star is expected to rejoin the Mercury as an unrestricted free agent. Bonner was waived by the Indiana Fever on June 25.<\/p>\n

Before the Mercury hosted the Dallas Wings on Monday, July 7, Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts said in his pregame media session, “Who’s that?” and pretended to look perplexed about Bonner when he was asked about the news of her returning to the Valley.<\/p>\n

He also declined to comment further about her.<\/p>\n

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Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts\u2019 initial \u201cWho\u2019s that?\u201d reaction was to @eliavgabay<\/a> asking about DeWanna Bonner expected to rejoin the team as a free agent. Tibbetts was asked again about Bonner and said \u201cNo comment.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/buMcgPT8IU<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 DANA (@iam_DanaScott) July 8, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Bonner attended Monday’s game and sat courtside next to Mercury President Vince Kozar.<\/p>\n

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And look who\u2019s here at PHX Arena \u2026 a familiar face named DeWanna Bonner.<\/p>\n

She\u2019s sitting courtside at the Wings-Mercury game with Mercury president Vince Kozar.<\/p>\n

Bonner\u2019s expected to sign with Mercury, a reunion as a free agent. pic.twitter.com\/KLxEx78bZA<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 DANA (@iam_DanaScott) July 8, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Bonner, 37, played the first 10 years of her 16-year career in Phoenix. She and Diana Taurasi helped lead the Mercury to titles in 2009 and 2014. She was drafted by Phoenix as the No. 5 overall pick from Auburn in 2009. The sharpshooting 6-foot-4 wing has career averages of 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists.<\/p>\n

Bonner’s Phoenix comeback would also mean a reunion with her fianc\u00e9e and former Connecticut Sun teammate Alyssa Thomas.<\/p>\n

The Mercury traded Bonner to Connecticut in February 2020. Bonner and Thomas, now with the Mercury, emerged as one of the league’s top tandems in their five seasons together.<\/p>\n

Thomas left Connecticut after playing her entire 11-year career there and joined Phoenix in a four-team trade on Feb. 2. Bonner followed her former coach, Stephanie White, from Connecticut to Indiana and signed a one-year deal for a near-max salary of $200,000 the same day.<\/p>\n

This season, Bonner’s produced career lows (7.1 points and 3.8 rebounds) through nine games, averaging 21.3 minutes in three starts. She was away from the Fever (9-9) for five games for personal reasons before being released. The team was unable to land a trade suitor to take on her contract, and she made a statement released by the team to explain her departure.<\/p>\n

“I want to sincerely thank the Indiana Fever for the opportunity to be part of the Fever franchise,” Bonner said. “Despite our shared goals and excitement heading into the season, I felt the fit did not work out and I appreciate the organization\u2019s willingness to grant my request to move on, particularly at this point in my career. I wish the Fever great success as they continue to build around this dynamic group of young players.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

White said about Bonner’s exit, “I haven\u2019t had a lot of conversations with her recently, really focused on the team we have right here and what we need to do to position ourselves to win.”<\/p>\n

Bonner addressed rumors that she selfishly quit on Indiana in an Instagram post.<\/p>\n

“A quitter!! Nah, never have been that!!” Bonner said. “But when the time comes … Let’s just make sure the apologies are just as loud as the disrespect!”<\/p>\n

The Mercury (12-6) are in second place in the league standings behind the Minnesota Lynx (17-2) and have $88,104 in cap space, per Spotrac. Bonner would be on a prorated veteran minimum, and the Mercury would have to cut a player to make room for her on their 12-person roster. Six players are signed to unprotected contracts, so they can be waived without penalty before July 13.<\/p>\n