Veteran star heads home.
Caitlin Clark's Former Teammate Reportedly Finds New WNBA Home After Fever Exit originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
DeWanna Bonner has been one of the WNBA’s most reliable and decorated veterans for more than a decade.
After beginning her career as the No. 5 overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury in 2009, Bonner went on to become a two‑time WNBA champion, a six‑time All‑Star and one of the league’s all‑time leading scorers.
Yet her 2025 season got off to a rocky start with the Indiana Fever, culminating in her departure from the organization.
Now she appears poised to return home, with ESPN's Michael Voepel reporting on Monday that Bonner is expected to sign with the Phoenix Mercury, the franchise she previously won two titles with.
According to sources, DeWanna Bonner is expected to sign soon with the @PhoenixMercury, the team that drafted her in 2009. She won 2 @WNBA titles with Phoenix. https://t.co/6sNb6o8zga
— Michael Voepel (@MAVoepel) July 7, 2025
Bonner signed a one‑year deal with the Indiana Fever on February 2, with the hope that her scoring touch and veteran leadership would help lift a young roster headlined by star guard Caitlin Clark.
She opened the season with three starts, including her debut on May 17, when she became the third all-time leading scorer in WNBA history, passing Tina Thompson.
However, her role quickly shifted to the bench, and after nine games, she was averaging just 7.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 21.3 minutes per game, down from her usual volume and efficiency.
Injuries marked by "personal reasons" kept her out of the Fever lineup following their June 13 contest, and on June 25, Indiana officially waived Bonner, who stated she "felt the fit did not work out" and expressed a desire to play elsewhere.
Bonner's rumored move to Phoenix marks a full‑circle return to the franchise that drafted her and where she spent her first ten seasons.
The Mercury currently sit second in the Western Conference with a 12-6 record and adding Bonner instantly injects proven playoff experience, veteran scoring punch and championship DNA into their rotation.
Related: Lexie Hull Shares Honest Take on Playing Without Caitlin Clark
Related: New DeWanna Bonner Update Emerges After Release From Indiana Fever
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball