The Phoenix Mercury introduced that they had signed guard Haley Jones to a hardship contract final Sunday. Only one week later, the group introduced they’ve waived Jones, doubtlessly signaling that key Mercury gamers are able to return from damage.
Haley Jones has already been waived twice this season
Jones, who was chosen sixth general within the 2023 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream, appeared in all 40 video games for Atlanta final yr, averaging 3.9 factors, 2.2 rebounds, and a couple of.1 assists in 17.8 minutes per recreation.
After she was waived by the Dream in coaching camp, she was picked by the Mercury, who had been coping with a slew of accidents to key gamers. Jones appeared in 4 video games with Phoenix, averaging 2.3 factors, 2 rebounds, and 1 help per recreation.
Now, the previous Stanford guard is as soon as once more an unrestricted free agent.
Jones’ lack of ability to discover a roster spot this season additional highlights the problem of staying within the WNBA for a number of seasons. The defensive specialist was a rotation participant in her first two seasons, beginning 30 of her first 80 profession video games, however is now battling to discover a roster spot on a group.
The values Haley Jones offers, in 1 sequence
Defends to scheme with the beneath & being directional vs the empty aspect PnR, maintaining Satou out of needing to assist
She then grabs the rebound & no want for an outlet go as a result of she will deal with, the tempo creates factors pic.twitter.com/AsmSMJHwXw
— Stephen PridGeon-Garner (@StephenPG3) June 8, 2025
The Phoenix Mercury have had an injury-riddled begin to the season
The Mercury are 6-4 to start the season, largely due to the robust play of their trio of undrafted rookies.
They’ve been with out Alyssa Thomas, who’s coping with a calf damage, for half of their video games up to now. Kahleah Copper has but to play this season after present process arthroscopic surgical procedure in preseason. As well as, rookie Megan McConnell will miss 3-4 weeks with a knee damage she suffered in her debut, and ahead Natasha Mack has been coping with a again damage.
As a result of Jones was signed to a hardship contract, the group needed to launch her as soon as they reached 10 wholesome gamers, per league guidelines. Whereas the group has not formally introduced who has returned to the lineup, it seems doubtless that each Thomas and Mack are again, contemplating McConnell’s and Copper’s lengthier damage timelines.
