Watching DeWanna Bonner over the last few seasons with the Connecticut Sun, she often looked like the WNBA’s version of Kevin Durant—tall, smooth, versatile, and dangerous from three. At 6’4”, she created matchup problems across the league. On the right night, she was unguardable. But just like KD’s recent journey with the Suns, Bonner’s time with the Indiana Fever has come to a sudden and somewhat awkward end.
According to reports from Yahoo Sports and Front Office Sports, Bonner has made it clear she has no interest in returning to the Fever. Despite a reunion with her former coach Stephanie White, who was expected to bring out the best in her, the fit felt “off” from the beginning. Bonner was brought in to serve as a stabilizing, championship-caliber presence for a young and growing Fever squad—but the role and the reality never aligned.
Over nine games this season, Bonner averaged 7.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. It’s clear that she wasn’t part of the Fever’s long-term vision—especially as Caitlin Clark’s stardom rises. And like KD recently said about his time in Phoenix, Bonner probably started to feel like the fanbase was ready to move on. Indiana fans weren’t subtle. On social media and beyond, there were calls for Bonner to come off the bench—or even retire and go coach.
The Fever didn’t wait. According to the Fever’s latest press release, they released her and quickly signed Aari McDonald for the remainder of the season. McDonald, who had a strong showing in three games under a hardship exception (averaging 11.0 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals), now steps into a permanent role. Indiana didn’t just let Bonner walk—they replaced her decisively.
Now, the question becomes: Where does DeWanna Bonner go next?
According to multiple league sources, Bonner has her eyes on two possible landing spots: the Phoenix Mercury or the Atlanta Dream.
Phoenix is interesting—especially given her long history there—but if that was the fit, why didn’t she go there in the first place?
Then there’s Atlanta. From a talent perspective, Bonner still has plenty left in the tank, even at 37. But logistically, it’s complicated. The Dream would likely need to clear a roster spot and find around $150-200K in cap space— that’s about the salary of someone like Shatori Walker-Kimbrough or Maya Caldwell. But even more challenging is the rotation. The Dream seem locked into their starting five, and Bonner would likely have to come off the bench.
That means joining Atlanta’s “Bench Mob,” a gritty second unit that’s proud of its energy and defense—but is that the role a former All-Star like Bonner wants to accept? She’s not just a name—she’s a resume. And resumes like hers often expect starting minutes, not second-unit responsibilities.
Still, any team that picks her up will get a proven winner. She’s a two-time WNBA Champion, five-time All-Star, and someone who can still swing a playoff series on the right night.
Whatever happens next, Bonner’s next stop is going to be one of the most intriguing stories of the WNBA season.
Stay tuned.
