The Phoenix Mercury bought out DeWanna Bonner's contract Monday, which is the date the WNBA's 2026 calendar lists for player playoff eligibility from waivers. Phoenix is 13-24 with seven games left and has already been eliminated from postseason contention.
Bonner, who turned 39 on Friday, cannot sign with any team until she clears waivers. Phoenix re-signed her in April for her 17th season, offering a one-year, $500,000 contract. Any team claiming her would assume that contract. Similarly, Indiana waived her on June 25, but no team claimed her within 48 hours. She cleared waivers in June and then signed with the Mercury in July.
In 2025, the veteran minimum was $78,831 for players with three or more years of service. The 2026 collective bargaining agreement sets minimum salaries between $270,000 and $300,000, depending on years of service, prorated for any remaining season time.
Rosters are limited to 12 players, with a first-year salary cap of $7 million, increased from $1.5 million in 2025. Nine teams currently have an open roster spot and the capacity to utilize it: Washington, Connecticut, Portland, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, Toronto, Atlanta, and Dallas. Of these, only Washington, New York, Atlanta, and Dallas are in the playoff race.
The Player on the Wire
Bonner appeared in all 37 games this season and started 26 of them. She averaged 10.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals in 27.6 minutes a night. She shot 39.4% from the field and 84.8% from the free-throw line. Her 3-point line for the season was 44-of-168, or 26.2%.
On Saturday night in Phoenix, Bonner played her last game for the Mercury, a 99-89 loss that clinched Atlanta's playoff berth. In 30 minutes, she went 4-of-9 for 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists.
She has scored 8,200 points in 572 regular-season games. She crossed 8,000 on July 7 against Chicago. Only Diana Taurasi and Tina Charles had done that before her, and both are retired.
Bonner played 396 games across 12 seasons in Phoenix and scored 5,474 points in them. She won championships with the Mercury in 2009 and 2014. Sixth Woman of the Year went to her in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Three of her six All-Star selections came with the franchise.
Of the 98 postseason games she has played, 61 came with the Mercury. Her playoff averages are 13.2 points and 6.8 rebounds. Second on the all-time games played list, the team also credited her with 379 regular-season and postseason wins, the most in league history.
The Buyout
Statements from Bonner and general manager Nick U'Ren went out with the Mercury release Monday, thanking Bonner for her contributions to the organization. Phoenix wants to let her pursue a chance to compete for another championship.
"DeWanna has been an important part of our team and brought tremendous leadership, experience and competitiveness to the Mercury," U'Ren said. "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."
Bonner played 24 games for Phoenix after signing there in July 2025 and all 37 this season. She appreciated the chance to compete in front of Mercury fans again late in her career, but also wants to get a chance to win a title now.
"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. "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," Bonner continued. "Being part of this franchise has given me so many incredible memories, and Phoenix will always be a special part of my career."
Mike Cound represents Bonner and spoke with ESPN on Monday, expressing appreciation for the Mercury's cooperation.
"They were great," Cound told ESPN's Kareem Copeland. "Many teams in the league wouldn't consider this, but this is a special circumstance and Phoenix is a very player-friendly organization. She's really appreciative of them."
Bonner can still play and contribute to wining basketball, so where will she land?
Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts on how much awareness he was given ahead of DeWanna Bonner and the team agreeing to a buyout:
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 24, 2026
"I think that our front office and ownership group does a really good job of letting me know when things are getting real. I've got a job to… https://t.co/QPsV98DaQp pic.twitter.com/Sx6AR33pha
Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream are 24-13 and first in the Eastern Conference. They clinched Saturday night in Phoenix. The Dream lead the WNBA in rebounding at 37.7 per game. Their 3-point percentage of 31.0% ranks 12th of the 15 teams.
Brionna Jones tore a meniscus overseas with USK Praha and had surgery in February. She did not play a game until the second half of the season. Atlanta listed her as questionable for the first time all year in mid-July, before a game against the Los Angeles Sparks. Over 44 games in 2025 she averaged 12.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 26.6 minutes and made her fourth All-Star team.
Naz Hillmon and rookie Madina Okot absorbed the frontcourt minutes behind Angel Reese while Jones was out.
Front Office Sports reported in June 2025, when Indiana waived her, that Bonner's preferred landing spots were Phoenix and Atlanta.
Atlanta is the pick. The spot and the money are already in place, and the frontcourt behind Reese has been improvised since February.
Washington Mystics
New York waived Betnijah Laney-Hamilton earlier this month after five seasons with the franchise. Two days later Washington was awarded her on waivers, per ESPN's Alexa Philippou. The Mystics waived guard Rori Harmon in the corresponding move and said they intended to bring her back on a developmental contract.
Washington announced the claim with a statement from team president Michael Winger.
"We were patient at the deadline because we believe in our group and wanted to protect our team chemistry," Winger said. "But the opportunity to add an established veteran with a wealth of experience is important for our continued development and competitiveness. We think she will add valuable leadership, knowledge and competence to our team."
The Mystics are 22-15 and have clinched. Bleacher Report noted Monday that Laney-Hamilton is the only player on the active roster older than 27. Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and Lauren Betts are all in their first or second seasons under Mystics coach Sydney Johnson. Shakira Austin and Michaela Onyenwere are the only other veterans.
Washington made that veteran addition three weeks ago at the cost of Harmon's roster spot.
Other Viable Playoff Candidates
New York is 23-15 and third in the East. The Liberty waived a 32-year-old wing earlier this month, and signing a 39-year-old one three weeks later would reverse that decision.
Dallas is 22-16 and holds the eighth spot. Among the four playoff teams with room, the Wings are the only one that has not clinched. Jessica Shepard and Alanna Smith both came over from Minnesota in the offseason. Shepard made her first All-Star team this summer. Smith shared Defensive Player of the Year honors with A'ja Wilson in 2025.
Las Vegas Aces
Las Vegas led Toronto 62-54 in the third quarter Sunday at Rogers Arena in Vancouver when Jewell Loyd came up with a steal, and Jackie Young pushed a pass ahead to NaLyssa Smith. Smith came down from the catch and her left knee buckled underneath her with no contact on the play. She was helped off the floor and could not put weight on the leg.
Before leaving, Smith scored 8 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, made 3 steals, and blocked 1 shot in 19 minutes, shooting perfectly from the field (4-of-4). Las Vegas won the game 88-78. The team did not provide an update on the severity of her injury during the postgame press conference.
Smith has averaged 11.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 0.9 assists over 37 games this season, and she leads the WNBA in field-goal percentage at 58.3%. Las Vegas is 26-13.
The Aces currently have a full roster of 12 players and would need to waive someone to create space. A standard hardship exception requires two players to be unavailable for at least three weeks, with one already missing two games. An emergency hardship applies if a team has fewer than 10 available players. Replacement contracts pay 75% of the minimum and count against the salary cap. They are also the only way for a team to exceed the cap during the regular season.
Smith's injury alone does not satisfy either standard.
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