Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) points at Phoenix Mercury forward-guard DeWanna Bonner (24) as an argument broke out between the two players on Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77.
One year ago, DeWanna Bonner left the Indiana Fever high and dry just months after joining the team as a star free agent signing. Now, the six-time WNBA All-Star has done the exact same thing to the Phoenix Mercury as well as her fiancé, Alyssa Thomas.
Bonner, a two-time WNBA champion, was brought into Indiana to be a veteran presence in 2025. However, she ultimately forced her way out of the team, ghosting her teammates in the process, according to Fever star Sophie Cunningham.
Ultimately, Bonner was placed on waivers and signed with Phoenix to play alongside Thomas.
Now, after just one year with the Mercury, which included a contentious run-in with Cunningham on the court, Bonner is bailing on yet another team.
Breaking: DeWanna Bonner and the Phoenix Mercury have agreed to a contract buyout, the team announced.
GM Nick U’Ren: “We worked out a buyout agreement that gives her the opportunity to chase a title in what could be her final postseason.”
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) August 24, 2026
DeWanna Bonner Ditched The Phoenix Mercury To Go Ring Chasing
On Monday afternoon, the Mercury announced that they had bought out the 37-year-old forward, and that she was free to find another team.
“We worked out a buyout agreement that gives her the opportunity to chase a title in what could be her final postseason,” general manager Nick U’Ren stated of the move.
The overwhelming belief is that Bonner will sign with the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces.
While the Aces undoubtedly give her a better shot of winning a third championship than Phoenix, which currently sits one spot outside the playoffs, it’s still a rough look.
Not only did Bonner bail on a second team in short succession, but she also left her fiancé hanging. Additionally, while Bonner is averaging 10.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season, her shooting numbers have been brutal.
The Auburn product is shooting less than 40 percent from the field and has an effective field goal percentage of just 46.1 percent. So whether or not she’d even help Las Vegas is debatable.
Either way, it sounds as if she’s burning plenty of bridges on her way out of the league.