DeWanna Bonner has a new home, same as the old home.
The six-time WNBA All-Star is expected to sign with the Phoenix Mercury, ESPN reported Monday, returning to the franchise with which she began her standout career.
Bonner, 37, was drafted fifth overall by Phoenix in 2009 and spent the first 10 years of her career with the Mercury, winning WNBA championships in 2009 and 2014.
Bonner was released by the Indiana Fever on June 25 after the team failed to trade her, marking an abrupt end to her stint with the franchise. The veteran forward played only nine games (three starts) this season, averaging 7.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
Where Else Did DeWanna Bonner Play?
Bonnerâs accomplishments run deep. She was named the WNBAâs Sixth Woman of the Year in each of her first three seasons and made her first All-Star appearance in 2015, averaging 15.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
In 2020, Bonner was traded for three first-round picks to the Connecticut Sun. She spent five productive seasons there, becoming a fixture on a team that went to five straight semifinals series. The 2022 Sun reached the Finals but lost in four games to the Las Vegas Aces.
With Connecticut entering a rebuild, Bonner left this past offseason to sign with the Fever, who snapped their seven-year playoff drought in 2024 behind rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.
For her career, Bonner is averaging 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals.
Why Did the Fever Release DeWanna Bonner?
Bonner was one of Indianaâs big offseason acquisitions, but she never fit with the team and soon fell into a reduced role. A full-time starter since 2012, Bonner came off the bench in six of the nine games she played and averaged just 21.3 minutes as a whole.
Bonner grew unhappy with her reduced role, according to Front Office Sportsâ Annie Costabile, and after missing five games for personal reasons, the Fever opted to waive her so she could play elsewhere.
At the time, Bonner said in a news release: “I want to sincerely thank the Indiana Fever for the opportunity to be part of the Fever franchise. Despite our shared goals and excitement heading into the season, I felt the fit did not work out and I appreciate the organization’s 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.”
Now, Bonner will reportedly join Phoenix, which has won seven of its last nine games to improve to 13-6, the second-best record in the Western Conference. Bonner will also conveniently become teammates again with her fiancée Alyssa Thomas, who was acquired from Connecticut via trade in January.
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