Dewanna Bonner has announced she is not interested in returning to the Indiana Fever. The team officially confirmed her unconditional release on Wednesday following the departure of indie star Chloe Peterson. Additionally, Indiana has re-signed veteran Ali MacDonald to at least the remainder of the standard contract.
In a statement after her release, Bonner expressed gratitude to the Fever for the opportunity but mentioned that despite her enthusiasm and shared goals for the season, she felt the fit was not right. She hopes to continue developing her career elsewhere.
Bonner’s last game for the Fever was on June 10, during which she recorded five points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals. She began a team-approved personal leave on June 12.
This offseason, Bonner signed a one-year, $200,000 unprotected contract with the Fever. By releasing her, the Fever now owe only the amount of her salary for remaining games, roughly $64,000. Other teams have 48 hours to claim her off the waiver wire; if unclaimed, she becomes a free agent able to sign with any team.
According to reporter Annie Costabile, Bonner’s preferred landing spots are the Phoenix Mercury or Atlanta Dream, with a strong preference for Phoenix. However, Phoenix will need to cut players to stay under the WNBA’s 12-player roster limit.
Current veteran minimum contracts stand at $78,831. Phoenix has enough cap space ($88,103) to sign Bonner, while Atlanta, with only $23,939 in cap room, will need to make roster moves to accommodate her.
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Fan Take: This move signals a significant roster shakeup that could impact the competitiveness of both the Fever and the teams interested in Bonner. For WNBA fans, it’s a reminder of how player fit and team dynamics play crucial roles beyond just talent, shaping the league’s landscape each season.
