After just nine games with the Indiana Fever, DeWanna Bonner, a two-time WNBA champion and six-time All-Star, is reportedly looking to quit the organisation. Front Office Sports claims that Bonner has “no interest” in going back because he doesn’t fit in with the team. For unspecified personal reasons, the seasoned forward, who inked a one-year, $200,000 contract in the summer, has missed five straight games since June 10. According to sources, she prefers to play for the Atlanta Dream or the Phoenix Mercury, where her fiancé Alyssa Thomas is a member. The Fever must now make a crucial choice about their big offseason acquisition.
Despite shooting 34.5% from the floor and averaging a career-low 7.1 points and 3.8 rebounds, Bonner’s time with the Fever has been lacklustre. After three games, Bonner—who was initially anticipated to be a starter and seasoned leader for Indiana’s youthful core, which included Caitlin Clark—was benched, a move that apparently caused tension in her relationship with the squad. Rumours about her dissatisfaction have been stoked by her uneven role and removal from the starting lineup. Although Bonner has not publicly responded to the rumours, her absence and the Fever’s ambiguity have heightened trade talks, raising concerns among fans and pundits about the team’s future.
Before a game against the Seattle Storm, Stephanie White, the head coach of the Fever, gave a brief statement regarding the matter, saying she hasn’t had much communication with Bonner lately and is concentrating on the existing roster. The Fever, who are currently 6-7, are going through a difficult time, and Bonner’s possible departure just makes things more unpredictable. Given her $200,000 salary and the small budget space of her chosen teams, Atlanta ($23,939) and Phoenix ($88,103), trading Bonner might be challenging. Since her contract is unprotected, she may also be waived, although doing so would not make up for Indiana losing a valuable veteran presence.
There has been a lot of conjecture on social media, including contentious assertions made by commentator Jason Whitlock that Bonner’s wish to quit the Fever is due to cultural issues in the locker room. These allegations, which focus on Bonner’s relationship with Alyssa Thomas, have drawn criticism for being provocative and without merit. Bonner hasn’t responded to the trade rumours publicly, but she has shared moments from her personal life on Instagram. In the midst of the conjecture, her fiancé, Thomas, made encouraging remarks that emphasised their relationship. The front office of the Fever, which is already being criticised for falling short of expectations this season, is under pressure to find a quick solution.
The Fever considered their purchase of Bonner a major coup, hoping to bolster their championship aspirations alongside Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell. However, her absence would pose a hiccup in Indiana’s preparations, especially since player Damiris Dantas is anticipated to skip the FIBA AmeriCup. A deal might provide assets, but cap constraints make things more difficult. Waiving Bonner puts you at risk of losing her for nothing. As the team prepares for the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final against the Minnesota Lynx, the Bonner drama looms large and has the potential to alter the Fever’s roster and chemistry during a pivotal season.
