DeWanna Bonner, one of the WNBA’s all-time greats, just linked up with the Atlanta Dream after a contract buyout with the Phoenix Mercury, chasing what she hopes is one final championship. On August 24, the Mercury and Bonner agreed to part ways amicably, with GM Nick U’Ren saying, “DeWanna has been an important part of our team and brought tremendous leadership, experience and competitiveness to the Mercury.” He added that the buyout was to give her “the opportunity to chase a title in what could be her final postseason.” Bonner herself said she was “grateful to the Mercury for giving me the opportunity to play in what could be one of my final postseason opportunities.” Let’s be real, she probably knew exactly where she was headed; ESPN’s Alexa Philippou reported the Dream’s pursuit went back years, even with the Aces and Liberty also showing interest.
Can a Champ Bolster Atlanta’s Bench or Just Ride It?
On paper, Bonner’s value to the Dream is obvious. She’s a two-time WNBA champion, a six-time All-Star, and a three-time Sixth Player of the Year. She’s exactly the kind of veteran leadership you’d want, especially on an Atlanta bench that’s been, let’s just say, a bit thin and green. Her willingness to launch from deep fits perfectly with head coach Karl Smesko’s style, and her length could be a real asset within Atlanta’s elite defense. That’s the dream, right? Getting a savvy vet to come in and just light it up.
The Harsh Reality: Age and Playing Time
But here’s the rub: that value is still just theoretical. At 39, Bonner is the second-oldest player in the league. While she’s third all-time in WNBA points, her 10.2 points per game is the second-lowest average of her career, and her 39 percent field goal shooting is the worst she’s ever posted. From three, she’s hitting only 25.6 percent on 4.5 attempts, which is her worst percentage since 2020. Plus, Smesko loves to ride his starters. Atlanta’s starting five of Jordin Canada, Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Naz Hillmon, and Angel Reese already boasts the best net rating in the league, so how much run will Bonner actually get?
While Atlanta is crossing its fingers for Bonner to suddenly catch fire, here in the Emerald City, our Seattle Storm are already proving they’re a force! The Storm just dropped the Toronto Tempo 90-78 in a big win. Can Bonner shake off the rust and make a real difference for the Dream, or will she be stuck cheering from the bench? For our Storm, it’s about keeping that energy up and pushing forward!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
Leave a Reply