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Jul 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (14) celebrates with fiance and forward Alyssa Thomas (25) after defeating the Minnesota Lynx at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Jul 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (14) celebrates with fiance and forward Alyssa Thomas (25) after defeating the Minnesota Lynx at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Controversy followed DeWanna Bonner like a plague last season. Initially, she signed with the Indiana Fever to play with Caitlin Clark. However, the pairing did not last long, as Bonner departed for Phoenix after just 9 games. “I felt the fit did not work out and I appreciate the organization’s willingness to grant my request to move on,” She said. And Phoenix turned out to be the perfect destination as Bonner helped them to the WNBA Finals with her fiancée, Alyssa Thomas. Now, the duo is running it back with the franchise.
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The Phoenix Mercury have retained DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas for the upcoming season, the franchise announced. “Having DeWanna back in a Mercury uniform is incredibly meaningful to our organization,” said General Manager Nick U’Ren in a statement. “She brings a championship mindset, elite skillset and the kind of leadership that defines winning teams.”
After her forgettable stint with the Fever, Bonner thrived in her Phoenix return. Bonner spent her first 10 years in the Valley, guiding the team to two titles. In her return, she averaged 10.9 points, 1 assist, and 4.3 rebounds in 24 games, mostly coming off the bench. Bonner shot 32.6% from the three-point line on 4 attempts a game, giving Nate Tibbetts a valuable outside shooter.
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DeWanna Bonner also stepped up in the big games, dropping 14 points and 8 rebounds against the New York Liberty in the first round and then 25 points and 10 rebounds in Game 3 of the Finals (although that ended in a loss). While she is valuable on her own, the Mercury’s biggest asset is their Engine, Alyssa Thomas.
“Alyssa is a generational player, natural leader and one of the fiercest competitors our sport has seen, and we’re excited to have her back in Phoenix,” said U’Ren. “Her ability to control the game on both ends and elevate her teammates helped fuel our run to the Finals last season.”
Thomas was in the running for MVP for the majority of last season and finished with the averages of 15.4 points, 9.2 assists and 8.8 rebounds. Thomas made league history by becoming the first player to average at least 15 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and one steal per game while shooting better than 50% from the floor. She led the league in assists and Bonner herself scored off 47 of Thomas’ passes.
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According to Richard Cohen, Thomas has signed a three-year, protected, $1.2 million per year deal. It shows how much trust they have in Thomas, especially considering her injury situation. Thomas has torn labrums in both shoulders and has played with both for years, refusing surgery. So far, she has soldiered through and it has not affected her on-court performance. But such serious injuries can break a player at any time. It is a risk the Mercury is seemingly willing to take.
On the other hand, the veteran Bonner is on a one-year unprotected, $500,000 deal. At 38 years old, Bonner is in the later stages of her career, which explains this number. It is still much higher than the $78,831 she received with the Mercury last year. Beyond these two, the Mercury have made two other major retentions to build for another Championship run.
Phoenix Mercury Re-Sign Kahleah Copper and Sami Whitcomb After Losing Satou Sabally
Satou Sabally was a major contributor in their 2025 finals run. Unfortunately for the Mercury, she will now team up with Breanna Stewart and Co. after signing a multi-year deal. However, the Mercury have managed to retain almost all the rest of the key pieces from their roster. They have now re-signed Kahleah Copper and Sami Whitcomb.
Copper, a four-time All-Star and 2021 Finals MVP averaged 15.6 points and 2.9 rebounds and stepped up in the playoffs as well. The All-Star averaged 17.8 points and 3.5 rebounds. Copper has reportedly signed a 2-year deal worth slightly more than $2.4 million, out of which Copper will earn $1.2 million in 2026.
“Kahleah is a true leader, on and off the court, one of the most explosive athletes in our game and competes with a relentless edge and toughness,” U’Ren said in a statement. “Her impact on both ends of the court and ability to deliver in the biggest moments make her truly special.”
The franchise has also signed sharpshooter Whitcomb. In 43 games and 20 starts, Whitcomb averaged 9.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 0.8 steals. The guard knocked down a team-high 86 three-pointers, tied for seventh most in the league, while shooting 36.1% from beyond the arc. According to Cohen, Whitcomb has signed a two-year deal worth just over $1.4 million and will earn $735,000 in 2026. It seems the Mercury is prioritizing retentions before going into the market for new players. If everything goes smoothly, the Phoenix Mercury will yet again be a contender.
