DeWanna Bonner solidifies Indiana Fever as WNBA championship contenders

DeWanna Bonner is heading to Indiana, per ESPN’s Alexa Phillippou. The six-time All-Star, who most not too long ago performed for the Connecticut Solar, agreed to a one-year take care of the Fever on Sunday. And, as such, the Fever are formally within the combine for a WNBA title.

Bonner, who averaged 15 factors, 6 rebounds, and a couple of assists on the Solar final season, was broadly anticipated to signal elsewhere after the group noticed final season’s core all head elsewhere. Many assumed Bonner would comply with her fiancee, WNBA All-Star Alyssa Thomas, to the Phoenix Mercury, the place she ended up through a sign-and-trade earlier this week. As an alternative, she joins forces along with her former Solar head coach Stephanie White, who additionally made the change from Connecticut to Indiana this offseason.

Bonner thrived in White’s offense — having two of the most effective seasons of her profession at ages 36 and 37. She was additionally one of many major defenders White leveraged to decelerate Caitlin Clark through the playoffs. Now, the 2 guards — one aged 23, and the opposite, 37 — will share the sidelines.

The Bonner signing punctuates a wildly profitable offseason for the Indiana Fever

Final yr, the Fever went 20-20 and was swept by Bonner’s Solar within the first spherical of the playoffs. Regardless of the early postseason exit, Indiana’s season was a powerful success — rookie star Caitlin Clark exceeded all expectations, Kelsy Mitchell had the most effective season of her profession, and the Fever made the playoffs for the primary time since 2016.

The long run has solely regarded gotten for the reason that WNBA season concluded. The Fever’s first huge transfer was to rent Stephanie White to steer the franchise, one of many highest-sought after coaches available on the market who nonetheless had a yr left in her contract with the Connecticut Solar. In addition they introduced they’d be constructing a brand-new, state-of-the-art apply facility for Fever gamers.

And, they’ve resoundingly nailed the WNBA free company up to now — re-signing Kelsey Mitchell off the most effective season of her profession, including ahead Natasha Howard, buying and selling for Sophie Cunningham, and now, including Bonner. Mitchell was a key precedence of the entrance workplace, and bringing her again on a supermax contract was the primary domino to fall this week. Howard, who final performed for the Dallas Wings, serves as a rim-runner, sturdy defender, and veteran ahead with championship expertise. She’ll return to the group the place she started her profession in 2014.

Cunningham excelled as a fringe shooter throughout her tenure in Phoenix — one through which she was within the working for Sixth Participant of the 12 months for a lot of the season.

And, Bonner ties all of it collectively. On the Fever, she may have a smaller offensive position than the one she had in Connecticut, which can virtually actually assist enhance her effectivity. And, she’s a flexible defender and a self-creator who may ease the load Clark and Mitchell have to hold. Bonner has two championships beneath her belt — each received with the Mercury — and at 6’4, she’s usually a mismatch for opposing guards.

The Fever will go so far as Caitlin Clark takes them. Clark was named to the First Staff All-WNBA in her rookie season, after averaging 19.2 factors and a league-best 8.4 assists. She’s solely set to make one other leap subsequent season. However now, Clark has the supporting forged she must take Indiana all the best way — the most effective gamers from final yr’s roster, a veteran guard who’s a gifted offensive participant in Bonner, a rim-running ahead who’s been there earlier than in Howard, and three&D guards in Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham.

They’re proper within the combine for a WNBA championship, earlier than anybody might have anticipated.