DeWanna Bonner’s Bold Gamble Backfires as WNBA Turns Its Back on the Veteran Star
DeWanna Bonner, once revered as a pillar of veteran leadership in the WNBA, is now facing a career crisis of her own making. After dramatically parting ways with the Indiana Fever mid-season—leaving rising star Caitlin Clark and a young roster in disarray—Bonner’s controversial decision appears to have backfired spectacularly. The 36-year-old forward is not just unemployed; she’s reportedly been blacklisted by WNBA teams, lost over $120,000 in salary, and shattered her once-solid legacy.
Initially, Bonner’s departure appeared to be a standard mid-season adjustment. A professionally worded press release from the Fever framed the move as amicable: Bonner had requested to move on, citing an unsatisfactory fit. In her own statement, Bonner thanked the organization and expressed best wishes for the team.
But that polished front quickly crumbled.
Behind the scenes, the story was far more volatile. Bonner wasn’t simply walking away—she was quitting on a team that had invested in her as a guiding figure, particularly for Caitlin Clark, the most scrutinized rookie the league has seen in years. Her departure left a team under intense media pressure without the stabilizing presence they had counted on.
No Team Wants the Drama
In the WNBA, when a player’s contract is terminated, they enter a 48-hour waiver period, giving other teams the opportunity to claim them and assume their current salary. Bonner, with championship experience and a $200,000 contract, should have been a high-value pickup.
But the clock ticked—and nothing happened.
Every single team in the WNBA passed.
According to league insiders, Bonner had been quietly orchestrating her own power play: she reportedly contacted teams to instruct them not to claim her off waivers. Her goal? To land with one specific team—the Phoenix Mercury.
But when the waiver period closed with no takers, the truth was out: this wasn’t a routine exit. This was a calculated, behind-the-scenes maneuver that many in the league saw as manipulative and entitled.
The Phoenix Mercury Hesitate
Bonner’s plan hinged on joining the Mercury, where she previously played and had hoped to reunite. But even Phoenix was reportedly skeptical. Sources suggest the Mercury’s front office was wary of disrupting team chemistry with a player who had just demonstrated a stunning willingness to quit on her team the moment things got tough.
In the end, Phoenix did sign her—but not on Bonner’s terms.
She forfeited her $200,000 salary and settled for a prorated veteran minimum deal worth around $80,000. That left her with a painful $120,000 financial loss and a reputation in tatters.
Betraying Caitlin Clark—and the League
Perhaps the most damaging aspect of Bonner’s exit was the impact on Caitlin Clark. The rookie phenom, brought into the league with enormous fanfare, was expected to lean on Bonner as a mentor. Their early interactions showed promise. Clark, by all accounts, was eager to learn from the veteran.
Instead, she was left blindsided and unsupported.
Bonner’s departure sent a chilling message to the league’s brightest new star: you’re on your own. In the eyes of many, this wasn’t just unprofessional—it was a betrayal.
Silent Condemnation
In most cases involving player controversy, fellow athletes speak out—especially when the situation involves potential league mistreatment or personal hardship. But in Bonner’s case, there was silence.
No current players publicly defended her. No coaches expressed sympathy. The absence of support was a condemnation in itself. Even among her peers, the move was seen as selfish and harmful—not just to the Fever, but to the integrity of the league.
A Dangerous Precedent
Bonner’s saga also raises broader concerns for the WNBA. If veteran players can force their way off a team mid-season without consequence, what’s to stop others from doing the same? Contracts, especially for smaller-market teams like Indiana, are crucial for roster stability.
Her actions suggest a world where contracts are optional and personal preferences override professional commitments—an image that undermines the league’s hard-earned credibility, especially at a time of unprecedented growth and visibility.
Legacy in Flames
Bonner may have reached her desired destination in Phoenix, but she arrives with more baggage than accolades. Instead of being remembered for her on-court contributions and leadership, she risks being defined by this episode—an athlete who gambled on control, lost her financial and professional standing, and tarnished her own legacy in the process.
In a time when player empowerment is often celebrated, Bonner’s story offers a sobering counterpoint. There’s a fine line between asserting control and abandoning responsibility. DeWanna Bonner may have just crossed it—and discovered too late that not every bridge can be rebuilt.
