The Phoenix Mercury have reached a buyout agreement with two-time WNBA champion DeWanna Bonner, the team announced Monday.
The move, which makes Bonner eligible to be claimed off waivers, was not about fit. Instead, it was intended to give the six-time All-Star a chance to compete in the postseason in what could be her final year in the WNBA.
“DeWanna has been an important part of our team and brought tremendous leadership, experience and competitiveness to the Mercury,” general manager Nick U’Ren said. “Because of the relationship we have with DeWanna, we worked out a buyout agreement that gives her the opportunity to chase a title in what could be her final postseason.”
Bonner was signed to a one-year, unprotected contract worth $500,000. The terms of the buyout were time served, according to Bonner’s agent, Mike Cound. This allows the Mercury to save a small amount of money for the seven remaining regular-season games during which Bonner will not be under contract, and frees up a roster spot if U’Ren wants to sign another player to evaluate before next season.
WNBA teams will have 48 hours to claim Bonner off the waiver wire. However, to do so, they must have the full $500,000 annual value of her salary available in cap space. If Bonner clears waivers, she will become an unrestricted free agent and can negotiate with any team. The minimum she can sign for is a prorated amount of the $300,000 veteran minimum, which would equal slightly less than $35,000 if she plays five games through the rest of the regular season.
The Mercury drafted Bonner with the No. 5 pick in 2009. She spent 10 seasons in Phoenix, during which she was a member of the franchise’s 2009 and 2014 title teams; she also earned three of her All-Star nods and became a three-time Sixth Player of the Year with the Mercury. In 2020, Phoenix sent her to the Connecticut Sun in a sign-and-trade. There, she made three more All-Star teams and helped the Sun to four semifinal appearances and a trip to the 2022 Finals, where the Sun lost to the Las Vegas Aces.
After five seasons in Uncasville, Conn., she signed a one-year deal with the Indiana Fever before last season, but she was waived after playing nine games. Bonner then signed with the Mercury and contributed to the team’s run to the 2025 WNBA Finals, where Phoenix was swept by the Aces.
The Mercury, currently 12th in league standings with a 13-24 record, have been one of the biggest disappointments of the 2026 season because of their swift fall from title contention. A 99-89 loss Saturday to the Atlanta Dream eliminated Phoenix from this season’s playoff race.
Bonner boasts a lengthy postseason resume that could make her a valuable asset for a team looking to make a deep playoff run. She averaged 9.1 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Mercury during last season’s finals run.
“At this stage of my career, I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m grateful to the Mercury for giving me the opportunity to play in what could be one of my final postseason opportunities,” Bonner said. “The fans, this community and the Mercury organization have embraced me throughout my career, and I’ll always be grateful for that. Being part of this franchise has given me so many incredible memories, and Phoenix will always be a special part of my career.”
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Phoenix Mercury, WNBA
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