The Phoenix Mercury appear on the verge of reuniting with one of the franchise’s most accomplished players, DeWanna Bonner; yet their head coach, Nate Tibbetts remains unwilling to confirm what now seems inevitable.
Bonner, a two-time WNBA champion and three-time Sixth Woman of the Year, was recently waived by the Indiana Fever after just nine games this season, and her departure followed reports of dissatisfaction with her role and fit in Indiana.
Despite modest numbers of 7.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, she brings a wealth of playoff experience and leadership qualities that few in the league can match and something that could be key to the Mercury‘s season ambitions.
ESPN’s Michael Voepel,Bonner is expected to sign with Phoenix “in the coming days” and her appearance at the Mercury’s home game against the Dallas Wings on Monday, July 7 only added credibility to the report.
However, despite being seated next to the team president, Vince Kozar, Tibbetts denied talking about any connection to Bonner and even (jokingly) suggested he’s never heard of the 37-year-old.
That’s despite the fact that DeWanna was originally drafted by the Mercury in 2009 and was instrumental in helping the team secure titles in 2009 and 2014. She remained in Phoenix until 2020, before she was traded to the Connecticut Sun.
The move comes as the team sits at 13-6, tied for second in the Western Conference, and has already made significant moves this season, including acquiring Alyssa Thomas via trade.
Bonner, who is Thomas‘s fiancee, would offer a familiar on-court partner while strengthening the team’s rotation during a critical stretch of the season ahead of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs.
With only $88,000 in salary cap space, the Mercury would likely need to offer Bonner a prorated veteran minimum contract as they appear to be sealing the deal, despite the head coach’s cryptic answers.
Bonner‘s return would allow her to contribute in multiple roles, off the bench or as a spot starter, in a team already featuring strong frontcourt presences like Thomas and Satou Sabally.
Sami Whitcomb stars for Phoenix against Wings
While Bonner‘s return looms, the Mercury are already receiving standout performances from unexpected places. Sami Whitcomb delivered a career-high 36 points in Phoenix’s 102-72 rout of the Dallas Wings on July 7.
Whitcomb scored 29 in the first half alone, the highest single-half total by any WNBA player this season, and shot 12-of-19 from the field and 7-of-11 from beyond the arc. Her 22 points in the first quarter alone helped the Mercury establish early control with a 33-21 lead.
Even after setting a new personal best at the free throw line, Whitcomb added a three-pointer moments later to extend Phoenix’s lead to 59-42 – demonstrating just how locked in she was.
Thomas contributed a triple-double with 15 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds. Phoenix hit the 100-point mark for the third time in five games, despite Sabally’s absence.
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