Phoenix Mercury buy out 17-year veteran DeWanna Bonner ahead of 2026 playoffs

The Phoenix Mercury bought out veteran forward DeWanna Bonner ahead of the 2026 WNBA playoffs, the team announced Monday.

With the Mercury out of playoff contention, the buyout will allow the 17-year veteran to sign with a contending team.

“Being able to return to Phoenix and play in front of the best fans in the WNBA these past two seasons has been an incredible experience,” Bonner said in a press release. “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.

“The fans, this community and the Mercury organization have embraced me throughout my career, and I’ll always be grateful for that. Being part of this franchise has given me so many incredible memories, and Phoenix will always be a special part of my career.”

The Mercury drafted Bonner with the No. 5 overall pick in 2009, and she spent the first 10 years of her career in Phoenix. After five seasons with the Connecticut Sun, the veteran was waived by the Indiana Fever and signed back with the Mercury in 2025. She has played 61 games for Phoenix since her return to the Valley.

Bonner played in nearly 400 games across her 12 seasons with the Mercury, averaging 13.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. She was a three-time All-Star, two-time WNBA champion and three-time Sixth Player of the Year in Phoenix.

Bonner is the Mercury’s current all-time leader in total rebounds, second in steals behind Diana Taurasi and third in rebounds and assists.

Further cementing her name in WNBA history, Bonner became the third player in the league’s history to reach 8,000 career points this season. She ranks second in career games played and is the WNBA’s winningest player in history.

“DeWanna has been an important part of our team and brought tremendous leadership, experience and competitiveness to the Mercury,” Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren said in a press release. “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.

“DeWanna will always be part of the Mercury family, and we wish her all the best.”

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