Highlights
- The Phoenix Mercury and forward DeWanna Bonner agreed to a mutual buyout Monday, the team announced.
- Bonner averaged 13.8 points and 6.1 rebounds across nearly 400 games over 12 seasons with Phoenix.
- She won two WNBA titles with the Mercury in 2009 and 2014 and became the winningest player in league history this season.
- GM Nick U'Ren cited the relationship with Bonner as the reason the team worked out a deal to give her a postseason opportunity.
The Phoenix Mercury cut loose one of the franchise's most decorated players Monday, agreeing to a mutual buyout with forward DeWanna Bonner that frees her to sign with a championship contender before the WNBA postseason.
General manager Nick U'Ren framed the split as a relationship-driven decision. "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," U'Ren said in a written statement.
Bonner, who spent 12 seasons and 396 games with the Mercury across two stints, leaves as arguably the most accomplished player in franchise history. She helped lead Phoenix to WNBA championships in 2009 and 2014, earned three straight Sixth Woman of the Year honors from 2009 through 2011, and made three All-Star teams while in Phoenix in 2015, 2018 and 2019.
This season alone she became just the third player in WNBA history to surpass 8,000 career points and became the winningest player in WNBA history with 379 combined regular-season and postseason wins.
Bonner acknowledged the exit was not easy. "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," she said.
U'Ren closed the team's statement with a send-off: "DeWanna will always be part of the Mercury family, and we wish her all the best."
Bonner's next destination has not been announced; her signing with a new club is expected before the WNBA playoff field is set.
Sources
Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.
- AZ Family (3TV/CBS5) retrieved 24/08/2026 17:39
- oursportscentral.com retrieved 24/08/2026 17:39
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 24/08/2026 17:39. Every claim traces to a source.
