DeWanna Bonner has spent nearly two decades establishing herself as one of the most accomplished players in WNBA history. The 38-year-old forward entered the 2026 season with two championships, six All-Star selections, two All-WNBA honors and three Sixth Player of the Year awards on her résumé.
Bonner has also remained productive deep into her career. She reached 8,000 career points earlier this season, becoming only the third player in WNBA history to reach the milestone behind Diana Taurasi and Tina Charles. She has averaged 14.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists over her career while appearing in 572 regular-season games.
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Now, with Mercury eliminated from the playoffs, Bonner is set to enter the next chapter of her remarkable career.
According to Phoenix Mercury reporter Shane Young, the team reached a buyout agreement with Bonner on Monday, giving the 17-year veteran the opportunity to join a contender ahead of the 2026 WNBA playoffs. With her future beyond this season uncertain, the move could also represent one of her final opportunities to compete for another championship.
Phoenix has been the longest-tenured stop of Bonner’s career. The Mercury selected her fifth overall in the 2009 WNBA Draft, and she spent the first 10 seasons of her career with the franchise. She helped Phoenix win championships in 2009 and 2014, earning All-WNBA recognition and three Sixth Player of the Year awards along the way.
Bonner then spent five seasons with the Connecticut Sun and played nine games for the Indiana Fever in 2025 before returning to Phoenix that same season. She helped Connecticut reach the WNBA Finals in 2019 and earned two more All-Star selections during her time with the franchise. Phoenix re-signed her in April after reaching the 2025 WNBA Finals.
Her individual résumé continued growing in Phoenix and her three Sixth Player awards remain a league record.
Bonner has averaged 10.6 points and 6.1 rebounds in 37 games this season, giving a contender another experienced scorer, rebounder and veteran presence for the postseason.
