The Phoenix Mercury has bought out WNBA star DeWanna Bonner's contract just ahead of the 2026 WNBA postseason. However, one WNBA analyst warns that this could set a harmful precedent.

Analyst Rachel Annamarie DeMita discussed the issue on her podcast, Courtside Club. She stated that it seems not only is Phoenix not getting any player in return, the franchise is also paying Bonner in full despite her walking out on her team.

"She [DeWanna Bonner] was just bought out by the Mercury, which means that she again is leaving her team not even midway through the season," DeMita said on August 25. "With literally six or seven games left in the season, Dana Bonner is exiting the Mercury."

The analyst further mentioned that the Mercury’s general manager revealed that they have given Bonner the freedom to join another team to play out what may be her final postseason, since Phoenix is out of contention this year.

"The thing that's most interesting about it is the general manager said, 'Because of the relationship we have with DeWanna, we worked out a buyout agreement that gives her the opportunity to chase a title in what could be her final postseason,'" DeMita said in the August 25 episode of the Courtside Club podcast.

However, DeMita pointed out that in any other league other than the WNBA, such a move would have made Bonner privy to immense scrutiny by critics.

She also pointed out that while it may be the WNBA veteran's last postseason, Bonner already has two more Championship wins under her belt.

“You played with them for the entire season. I don't know how I would feel if I moved to another team and then won a championship with them,” DeMita added.

This is not the first time Bonner has walked out on a team. Something similar took place during her time with the Indiana Fever. According to IndyStar, the Fever waived the veteran’s contract in 2025 after failing to find a trade partner for Bonner.

Which brings us to the question: Where will Bonner end up next?

Where will DeWanna Bonner land for her final postseason?

DeWanna Bonner joined the WNBA in 2009, when she was drafted 5th overall by the Phoenix Mercury. She remained with them till 2019, winning two Championships. 

In the same Courtside Club episode, DeMita brought up the question of where Bonner might end up now that she is leaving Phoenix, and presented the Las Vegas Aces as a possible landing spot.

“Where will Dana Bonner go? What team will she go to?  A lot of people are eyeing the Las Vegas Aces. Now, they're eyeing the Las Vegas Aces because unfortunately, you guys, this week, NaLyssa Smith did get injured,” DeMita explained in the podcast.

The analyst pointed out that Aces forward NaLyssa Smith is suffering from a knee injury that will likely sideline her for the remainder of the 2026 season.

Although it is still unclear what exactly the injury is, DeMita confirmed that Smith suffered a non-contact left knee injury during the Aces game against the Toronto Tempo on Sunday, August 23.

With the Aces down a player, Bonner’s exit from the Mercury might become just the kind of experienced veteran Las Vegas needs to pave their path forward into the 2026 postseason.

Written by

Arundhoti Palit

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit