PHOENIX— The Phoenix Mercury announced they have signed guard/forward DeWanna Bonner, marking her return to the team that drafted her fifth overall in the 2009 WNBA Draft. In a corresponding move, the team waived forward/center Murjanatu Musa to make room on the roster for Bonner.
According to Richard Cohen, Bonner signed a rest-of-season contract to return to the Mercury at $63,721, which is today’s pro-rated veteran minimum.
What DeWanna Bonner Brings to the Phoenix Mercury
Throughout her career, DeWanna Bonner is notorious for her big-time shots from the three-point line, athleticism, and veteran leadership she brings to the team. She now joins the trio of Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, and Kahleah Copper, as well as Phoenix’s impressive group of rookies and role players.
Bonner is playing in her 16th year in the WNBA, after spending the last five seasons with the Connecticut Sun, where she was part of the team’s 2022 finals appearance. Throughout the 2024 season, she averaged a team-high 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, appearing in 40 regular-season games.
Appearing in just nine games after signing with the Indiana Fever in the offseason, Bonner was waived by the team on June 25 after missing time due to personal reasons.
We watched her grow into greatness. And now she’s back for more records to break and memories to make. pic.twitter.com/GG3E90aFNR
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) July 8, 2025
When asked about Bonner’s communication with Nate Tibbetts and the coaching staff, she stated that “she wants to be herself “in her role with the Mercury, who are ranked second in the league with a 13-6 record.
Over the course of her WNBA career, Bonner spent the first decade with the Mercury, where she won two WNBA Championships with franchise legends Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor. She was also named the WNBA’s Sixth Woman of the Year award for three consecutive seasons from 2009 to 2011.
Considered one of the most decorated players in WNBA history, Bonner’s future Hall of Fame resume speaks for itself. Throughout her illustrious career, Bonner is a six-time WNBA All-Star and has been named to both the All-WNBA First and Second Teams, as well as the All-Rookie Team.
“This is my first time in here (inside the practice facility),” Bonner told Ballislife Tuesday. “It’s just been surreal. I was just telling everybody I was here for 10 years, but it feels like a brand new place, and everything’s changed so much, but the fans made me feel welcome. They’re the same, so it still feels like home. Just happy to be home (in Phoenix).”
Phoenix has undergone significant changes since Bonner departed for Connecticut in 2020, and she returns with a revamped roster, a new front office, coaching staff, and a $100 million practice facility. Today, Bonner shared her first impressions of the Mercury’s newly opened center.
Last September, Bonner was present at PHX Arena for the Mercury’s 2014 WNBA Championship team reunion, where fans showered her with appreciation for her decade long contributions with the franchise. In a full circle moment, Bonner is excited to return home and reconnect with her roots.
“I mean, it’s home,” Bonner said. “I know I’m going to get the love, the support. The team, obviously, I know a lot of ladies on the team, but I’m just excited to be back home, some familiarity around the city and the town. So, I don’t even know. I got here yesterday, so everything is sinking in, but I want to be back home. It was time (to return to Phoenix).”
Bonner’s return to the Valley gives the Mercury a boost for a chance to contend for a championship and bring home its fourth title in franchise history. Furthermore, Bonner will reunite with fiancée Alyssa Thomas, with whom she spent five seasons as teammates on the Connecticut Sun.
I asked DeWanna Bonner about her return to the Phoenix Mercury. #WNBA pic.twitter.com/Im2fVVRSCC
— Aya Abdeen (@ayabdeen) July 8, 2025
On Monday, Thomas recorded her first triple-double as a member of the Mercury in the team’s blowout win over the Wings with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists. In attendance was Bonner, who received a standing ovation from the Mercury faithful while sitting courtside.
“I play with Alyssa (Thomas) long enough to know that you gotta play defense if you gotta be on the court,” Bonner said. “So obviously, they’re one of the top defensive teams right now, and it shows in their record. So I’ve been there with her before, so I don’t expect anything to change, and I know what to expect. I know that I I gotta get down and play defense if I’m going to going to be on that court with them. So yeah, I’m excited. Good thing that I’m not starting fresh. The anchor is Alyssa, and I’ve played with her before.”
Bonner ranks third on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list with 7,546 career points and recently surpassed Tina Thompson during the Fever’s victory over the Chicago Sky on May 17
“We couldn’t be more excited to have DeWanna back in a Mercury uniform,” Phoenix Mercury General Manager Nick U’Ren said in a release. “She is a true winner, leader and one of the most talented and versatile players in our game. Her high basketball IQ, shooting range, athleticism and ability to play and defend multiple positions is going to be a great addition to what are we building here in Phoenix.”
With DeWanna Bonner’s return and her familiarity with the franchise, the Mercury look to build on their momentum through the regular season. Phoenix will host the league-leading Minnesota Lynx (17–2) on Wednesday.