DeWanna Bonner, a two-time WNBA champion, has been waived by the Indiana Fever. Multiple sources confirmed to Front Office Sports that Bonner had no intentions of returning to the team after playing just nine games.
The decision to part ways with Bonner came after she and the Fever realized the fit was “off” from the start, with Bonner’s desire to leave being a key factor.
Fever’s Decision to Waive Bonner
Bonner, who signed a one-year unprotected contract with the Fever just four months ago, had been absent from the team since the second week of June, citing “personal reasons.” Indiana’s coach, Stephanie White, had initially indicated Bonner was “doing well,” and she was considered “day-to-day.”
White also mentioned that the Fever were supporting Bonner during her time away.
However, ahead of the Fever’s 94–86 victory over the Seattle Storm on Tuesday, White’s tone shifted. “I haven’t had a lot of conversations with her recently,” White said. “Really been focused on the team we have right here and what we need to do to position ourselves to win.”
A Unique Situation for Bonner and the Fever
Midseason trades are rare in the WNBA due to the league’s hard salary cap. One of the few examples of a player forcing a midseason move was Sylvia Fowles in 2015, who sat out the first half of the season before being traded from the Chicago Sky to the Minnesota Lynx. But Bonner’s case is different.
Her signing with the Fever was considered a major move in the offseason. As a two-time WNBA champion, Bonner was expected to be a key player in helping the Fever contend for a title, alongside rookie standout Caitlin Clark. Instead, she will now hit the waiver wire.
What’s Next for Bonner?
After being waived, teams will have 48 hours to claim Bonner off waivers. The team that picks her up would need $200,000 in cap space to absorb her contract, though the Fever will only lose cap space for the period she was with the team, which was about five-and-a-half weeks.
Two teams, the Golden State Valkyries and Washington Mystics, have enough cap space to claim her. However, sources have told FOS that Bonner’s preferred destination is the Phoenix Mercury, where her fiancée, Alyssa Thomas, plays.
Bonner and Thomas previously spent five seasons together with the Connecticut Sun, leading the team to five consecutive semifinals appearances. They also reached the 2022 WNBA Finals, though they lost to the Las Vegas Aces.
If Bonner clears waivers, she would become an unrestricted free agent, allowing her to sign with any team. The Phoenix Mercury currently have $88,103 in cap space, which would allow them to sign Bonner for the veteran minimum of $78,831. However, they would need to cut a player to stay under the 12-player roster limit.
Sources have indicated that Bonner’s potential signing with Phoenix is not certain, as it could disrupt the strong dynamic developing within the Mercury’s core group.
Bonner’s Departure from the Fever
Bonner had started three games for the Fever before being moved to a reserve role. In her nine games, she averaged 7.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. In her final game on June 10 against the Atlanta Dream, Bonner recorded 5 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists.
According to sources, part of Bonner’s dissatisfaction stemmed from her expectation of being a starter, which was not fulfilled. Bonner expressed her feelings in a statement, saying, “I felt the fit did not work out, and I appreciate the organization’s willingness to grant my request to move on, particularly at this point in my career.”
Fever’s Latest Move
In related news, the Fever announced the re-signing of Aari McDonald to a rest-of-season contract at the veteran minimum.
