Indiana’s off-season plans are crumbling before our very eyes! Their front-court is now compromised after veteran forward DeWanna Bonner decided to bow out of the team a couple weeks ago. “Despite our shared goals and excitement heading into the season, I felt the fit did not work out…” This excerpt from the Fever release about her departure, and the team’s failed attempts at trading her, are creating quite a troublesome picture. Without a doubt, many were speculating that DB would end up leaving Indiana, but definitely not like this!

Many fans decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. The six-foot-four forward’s production was a lot lower than expected–she is currently averaging about 7 points with an FG% less than 40%–but her championship experience was supposed to pave the way for a deep playoff run. So, after her unexplained absence, many thought she was facing a medical issue, or considering retirement. However, a disagreement and a desire to be traded wasn’t the first thought on most people’s minds.

But there were definitely guesses about where Bonner would go if she ended up leaving the Fever. And, as per a tweet by @UnderdogWNBA, some fans hit the nail on the head! “Teams have been advised not to claim DeWanna Bonner off waivers, per @AnnieCostabile. Bonner prefers to sign with the Mercury.” In other words, it appears as though DB wants to supercharge Phoenix’s front court alongside Satou Sabally, and reunite with her partner Alyssa Thomas.

Currently, Bonner is on the waiver wire for the next 48 hours. During this time period, any team will be able to pick up the rest of her contract. However, considering DeWanna Bonner’s statement, she will end up being a free-agent and can negotiate an entirely new contract as opposed to her unprotected $200,000 deal.

This move by DB has a lot of logic behind it. She gets to play alongside her partner, and perhaps take on a role that’s more agreeable with her. Fever fans are divided about her exit, but there’s one thing they agree on–Aari McDonald coming back is a great thing! But what does the four-year vet have to say about returning to the Fever? And how will it impact the team going forward? Let’s find out!

Aari McDonald’s addition poses interesting question for Indiana Fever amidst front-court crisis

An air of hesitation surrounded Caitlin Clark’s return to the hardwood floor this month. Although fans were overjoyed to get their superstar back, they knew that it would mean cutting someone. The most likely victim-to-be? Aari McDonald. The four-year WNBA veteran was picked up on a hardship deal after the Sparks waived her after the pre-season.

The five-foot-six guard pulled the Fever out of their backcourt funk and was a huge contributor on both ends of the floor. She averaged 11 points and 3 assists in the three games that she played, and everyone loved her! Now that DeWanna Bonner is leaving, a lot of cap space has opened up for Indiana, allowing for McDonald’s return.

“I’m so excited to rejoin the Fever. Although my time with the team was brief, it immediately felt like the place to be,” McDonald said about her newest re-signing. “I’m grateful for the warm welcome from the coaches, teammates, and fans, and most of all, I thank God for the incredible journey I’m on.”  

However, her return isn’t as rose-tinted as the Fever would like it. Although DB’s production wasn’t up to the mark, she still was a menacing presence in the Fever’s frontcourt. Now, with her gone, their bigs lineup has been compromised significantly. Rebuilding the frontcourt is gonna be a big challenge for Stephanie White and Kelly Krauskopf, as DB ended up taking about $64,000 of Indiana’s cap-space for this season.

Not to mention, McDonald is a welcome addition, but provides no support to the size of this team. Her contract, a prorated vet minimum, will occupy another $53,000 in addition to the $6000 she earned earlier this season. So, with $119,000 freed up in cap-space, Krauskopf and White will need to find another big that can do the job.

It will be interesting to see how the Indiana Fever progresses from here. Their luck, so far, hasn’t been great, but Aari McDonald and a new potential forward could turn things around. Will Caitlin Clark and her team be able to reach the WNBA finals this year? Only time will tell.