After an injury riddled season, the Phoenix Mercury had a much earlier end to the season than expected. This free agency they have lots of decisions made.
The Phoenix Mercury did not have a good season. They lost Diana Taurasi early to surgery and the rest of the season they were playing catch up. They finished in the final playoff spot, before an early exit.
They also lost promising rookie Alanna Smith after 18 games. They also lost Sancho Lyttle for 14 games and this was too much for the rest of the team to cover. The other rookie, Sophie Cunningham showed great promise.
The Mercury have the 5th, 17th, 18th and 29th pick in the 2020 WNBA draft. Lets take a look at the players they have the chance to re-sign.
DeWanna Bonner
DeWanna Bonner led the league in babies born one year and then minutes per game the next. She is a true competitor who can play multiple positions and is a solid scorer and rebounder.
In 34 games Bonner averaged 17.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. She cannot be cored this summer so the Mercury will have an interesting time signing her back. Coming towards the end of her career, she might want to play with her wife at the Indiana Fever.
Bonner is such a private person, we will only know when the announcement is made. The Mercury need to make Bonner’s signature one of their highest priorities this off season.
Brittney Griner
The reason that Bonner’s signature is one of the highest priorities is that generational talent Brittney Griner is also a free agent. Griner, whose love for the Mercury is one of the only reasons that she reamins in the WNBA should be an easy signature to secure.
Last season she averaged 20.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.0 blocks and 0.7 steals per game. Other teams will be chasing Griner but the pull of the Mercury will be too strong for anyone to lure her away.
Essence Carson
In my opinion, Essence Carson was the player the Mercury were targetting when they made the offer for Oddysey Sims. Starting only 13 games, Carson averaged 5.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.5 steals per game.
The Mercury will want to sign the former All-Star in the hope of a better season for both Carson and the Mercury. Carson’s signature will also be chased by multiple franchises.
Yvonne Turner
Yvonne Turner played 29 games last season, starting 14 of them. She averaged 6.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Turner is a key bench piece and needs to be re-signed b y the Mercury.