The Indiana Fever announced on Wednesday that they have waived veteran forward DeWanna Bonner, while signing guard Aari McDonald to join the team for the rest of the season. This move comes as the Fever aim to reshape their roster during Caitlin Clark’s sophomore year in the WNBA and adjust their lineup around key players.
Bonner’s Journey to and Time with the Fever
DeWanna Bonner joined the Fever this offseason after spending five seasons with the Connecticut Sun, where she had previously played under Indiana’s current head coach Stephanie White. Bonner arrived in Indianapolis as one of the league’s most accomplished players, boasting two WNBA championships and six All-Star appearances with the Sun and Phoenix Mercury.
She signed a one-year deal with the Fever and quickly became one of their most prominent offseason acquisitions. However, Bonner missed the last five games due to what the team cited as personal reasons. After nine games, including three starts, Indiana chose to waive her, as the organization could not find suitable trade partners.
Bonner Reflects on Her Time with Indiana
Following the decision to waive her, Bonner expressed gratitude toward the Fever organization but acknowledged the fit was not ideal. She said,
I want to sincerely thank the Indiana Fever for the opportunity to be part of the Fever franchise,
Bonner stated.
Despite our shared goals and excitement heading into the season, I felt the fit did not work out and I appreciate the organization’s willingness to grant my request to move on, particularly at this point in my career. I wish the Fever great success as they continue to build around this dynamic group of young players.
Performance and Career Highlights of DeWanna Bonner
During her stint with the Fever this season, Bonner averaged 7.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. Originally drafted No. 5 overall by the Phoenix Mercury in 2009 from Auburn University, she spent a decade with the Mercury before joining the Connecticut Sun. Bonner became a full-time starter in 2012 and recently climbed to third place on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list, trailing only legends Diana Taurasi and Tina Charles.
Team Moves and Future Prospects
After failing to secure a trade partner for Bonner, Indiana opted to waive her to allow for roster flexibility, simultaneously signing Aari McDonald to strengthen their backcourt for the remainder of the season. Reports from Front Office Sports journalist Annie Costabile suggest Bonner requested a change of scenery as she no longer wished to play for the Fever this year, with potential destinations including the Atlanta Dream or a return to the Mercury.
The Fever currently hold a 7-7 record, working to develop young talent such as Caitlin Clark, who was selected No. 1 overall last season. Indiana has also added players like Sophie Cunningham, Natasha Howard, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell to build a competitive roster aimed at future success.
Implications of Roster Changes for Indiana Fever
Waiving an established player like Bonner signals the Fever’s commitment to integrating younger athletes and reshaping the team’s core roster around emerging stars like Clark and Boston. Signing McDonald adds a fresh dynamic to their guard rotation as they continue their 2025 campaign. The move reflects the challenges teams face balancing veteran presence with developing talent while chasing consistent performance throughout the season.