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DeWanna Bonner is headed back to Arizona.
After a rocky start to her 16th season in the WNBA, the six-time All-Star will sign with the Mercury in the coming days, a source confirmed to Front Office Sports.
Bonner was drafted by the Mercury with the No. 5 overall pick in 2009. She spent 10 seasons with the franchise and won two titles (2009, 2014) before being dealt to the Connecticut Sun in a sign and trade in 2020. After five seasons with the Sun, including one Finals appearance, Bonner signed with the Fever as an unrestricted free agent this offseason on a one year, unprotected deal worth $200,000.
The news was first reported by ESPN.
(Update, July 8, 4:24 p.m.: Bonner signed with the Mercury on Tuesday. The deal was for $63,721, according to HerHoopStats, $20,000 above the prorated veteran minimum.)
Her signing was one of the most significant of the 2025 free agency period, coming with expectations that she would lead the Fever’s young core into title contention. After nine games and a benching, Bonner was placed on the injury list with the team citing personal reasons. It was later revealed the team was shopping her on the trade market. The reasons for Bonner’s split from the Fever weren’t entirely clear. Sources told FOS the fit was off from the beginning. Bonner said in a statement that she was appreciative of the Fever for granting her “request to move on.”
After the Fever failed to find a suitable trade deal, the franchise waived Bonner on June 25. Teams were advised not to pick Bonner up off of waivers, multiple league sources told FOS, because her preference was to sign with the Mercury.
Bonner’s partner, Alyssa Thomas, plays for the Mercury; the couple were teammates in Connecticut from 2020–24.
The Mercury were at the league maximum of 12 rostered players and waived Murjanatu Musa to make room for Bonner.
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