One day after reports came out that Indiana Fever forward DeWanna Bonner was seeking off the team, with preferred destinations being the Phoenix Mercury and Atlanta Dream, the Fever waived the former WNBA champion per Chloe Peterson of the Indy Star.
In addition to this waiving of Bonner, the team is re-signing Aari McDonald after waiving her once they got back Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham. McDonald quickly became a fan favorite while with the team on an emergency hardship deal, playing elite guard defense off the bench for Indiana while providing decent scoring and playmaking, as well.
Peterson reported that the Fever just couldn't find any lucrative trade deals, so they made the difficult decision to just waive Bonner.
Bonner, who was signed to the Fever this offseason to a one year, $200,000 deal to help steer the ship on a young and talented roster. However, that mentorship quickly turned into a reduced role in the Fever's rotation, with Bonner landing on the bench to begin the year and getting a career-low 21 minutes per game.
That lack of role, per Peterson, was a part of why Bonner had requested a trade or waive from the Fever. She was never able to find a groove offensively with the Fever, and as a result, she was simply a $200,000 bench warmer with talent that goes far beyond that label.
Several teams are likely to pursue Bonner, the six-time All-Star who clearly has no plans to retire anytime soon. Teams like the New York Liberty have the cap space to make it happen hypothetically, but Bonner seems primed to sign a smaller deal with a preferred destination like the Mercury if she isn't picked up in 48 hours. She'd become a free agent after that time frame.
Bonner off Fever
Bonner was convinced to sign with the Fever this offseason by current players like Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston. Her fit made a ton of sense as she's been an efficient shooter her entire career and a solid frontcourt defender. Her alongside Boston should have opened up ample scoring opportunities for Boston - but, this just never came to fruition consistently.
READ MORE: DeWanna Bonner's WNBA options are limited outside the Fever
She's still got plenty left in the tank, and several contenders in desperate need of frontcourt support should pursue Bonner. The Liberty have the cap space, but the Las Vegas Aces could genuinely use her off their bench - or even as a starter - to help A'ja Wilson in the front court.