DeWanna Bonner’s Mercury Buyout Clears Path to Join Dream Contender
DeWanna Bonner has accepted a buyout from the Phoenix Mercury with the expectation that she will sign with the Atlanta Dream, a move aimed at joining a WNBA contender for the stretch run. The veteran wing’s decision comes just as the playoff field has been finalized, positioning the Dream to add experienced scoring and defense ahead of the postseason.
DeWanna Bonner’s Buyout Sets Stage for Dream Push
A busy late-August in the WNBA has produced a major veteran move: DeWanna Bonner has accepted a buyout from the Phoenix Mercury with the expectation that she will sign with the Atlanta Dream, adding an experienced scorer and defender to a team positioning itself as a contender.
According to reporting from NBC Sports, the 39-year-old Bonner reached a buyout agreement with the Mercury specifically so she could join a playoff-caliber team, with the Dream identified as her next destination after she clears waivers and the contractual process is completed.NBC Sports overview
"DeWanna Bonner reportedly will sign with Dream after Mercury buyout"NBC Sports overview
Why Bonner’s Move Matters
Bonner’s decision is significant on several fronts:
- Veteran talent shifting from a non-contender to a contender: NBC Sports reports that Bonner accepted the buyout in Phoenix in order to join a team with stronger championship aspirations, underscoring how established veterans are using flexibility late in the season to chase deep playoff runs.NBC Sports overview
- Impact on the Mercury: Phoenix loses a seasoned wing who has been a core piece of multiple playoff teams, a notable subtraction for a franchise that has already been eliminated from postseason contention this year.NBC Sports overview
- Boost for the Dream’s rotation: While exact role details are not yet reported, NBC Sports characterizes Bonner’s move as an effort to join a contender, indicating that Atlanta expects her to be part of a playoff-focused rotation rather than a developmental piece.NBC Sports overview
The Contenders’ Landscape Around the Move
Bonner’s expected arrival in Atlanta comes as the broader playoff picture crystallizes:
- The Dallas Wings clinched the final WNBA playoff spot earlier this week with a decisive 96-78 win over the Portland Fire, ending the Fire’s postseason hopes and locking in the eight-team field.CBS Texas game reportNBC Sports WNBA notebook
- NBC Sports notes that Minnesota sits alone at No. 1 in the standings, four games clear of the Golden State Valkyries, underscoring how any team positioning itself as a contender, such as the Dream, will likely have to go through a dominant Lynx team in the postseason.NBC Sports WNBA notebook
In that context, Bonner’s move is not just about one veteran changing teams; it’s a strategic play by both player and franchise. The Mercury get financial and roster flexibility via the buyout, while the Dream add a proven playoff contributor to deepen their rotation for a bracket that already features a clear top seed and multiple teams trying to close the gap.
What’s Next
As of the latest reporting, Bonner’s buyout is complete and her intention is to sign with the Dream, but official signing details and debut timing have not yet been fully reported.NBC Sports overview
With the playoff field set and seeding battles underway, the addition of a 39-year-old veteran wing to Atlanta is one of the most consequential late-season roster moves, potentially reshaping how the Dream match up against the league’s top-tier frontcourts and wings once the postseason begins.NBC Sports overviewNBC Sports WNBA notebook