Fever and Bonner Heading for a Breakup? Here’s What We Know

DeWanna Bonner’s days with the Indiana Fever could be coming to an end. 

According to multiple league sources, the two-time WNBA champion has no interest in returning to play for the Fever. Those same sources indicated Bonner’s preferred landing spots are with the Phoenix Mercury or the Atlanta Dream. 

Bonner’s agent, Mike Cound, had no comment regarding his client’s standing with the Fever. 

The Fever signed Bonner in February to a one-year, unprotected contract valued at $200,000. She was one of their biggest pickups during a blockbuster free-agency period that included signing three-time WNBA champion Natasha Howard, two-time WNBA champion Sydney Colson, and re-signing two-time All-Star Kelsey Mitchell. 

Bonner started three games for the Fever to open the season before she was benched in favor of shooting guard Lexie Hull. After six games coming off the bench, Bonner was ruled out by the Fever due to “personal reasons.” 

The six-time All-Star was averaging 7.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in the nine games she played before her absence. She had five points, two rebounds, and two assists in her last game with the Fever on June 10 against the Dream. 

Multiple sources told Front Office Sports that the fit in Indiana was “off” from the beginning. Bonner—who was signed to be an anchor with championship experience for the team’s young core—was expected to be a starter.  The Fever declined to comment. 

Trade or Waive?

The Fever could be facing a couple of potential scenarios. 

The first, although unlikely according to multiple sources, is a trade. 

The Mercury have $88,103 in cap space, according to Spotrac, and the Dream have $23,939. Considering most players with salaries comparable to Bonner’s will likely be off limits in a trade, a package could end up including more than one player to clear enough cap space. 

However, the more likely scenario, which does little to benefit the Fever, is waiving her. Because Bonner is on an unprotected contract, the Fever could waive Bonner and only be responsible for her prorated salary. At the midpoint of the WNBA season is when unprotected contracts become fully guaranteed. The only thing the Fever stands to gain in this scenario is cap space. 

If the Fever were to waive Bonner, teams would have 48 hours to claim her off waivers. If no team does, she would become an unrestricted free agent. 

The current veteran minimum in the WNBA is $78,831, which means the Mercury could sign Bonner without making any roster cuts if the Fever were to waive her and she clears the 48-hour waiver window.