Connecticut Sun make blockbuster trade for DeWanna Bonner

Sun look to go all the way with trade for Bonner

The Connecticut Sun nearly shattered the WNBA twitterspehere Tuesday morning when they announced that they had traded for DeWanna Bonner. In exchange for Bonner, the Sun will give the Phoneix Mercury three first-round picks, No. 7 and 10 this year and one in 2021.

Bonner brings a wealth of experience to Connecticut after spending her first ten seasons in Phoenix, including three All-Star selections and three Sixth Woman of the Year awards. She leaves the Mercury as the first in career rebounds (2,072) and second in career points (4,820) and games played (335).

Last regular season Bonner averaged 17.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 32.9 minutes per game.

Head coach and general manager Curt Miller said in a press release, “We are ecstatic to add and welcome Dewanna Bonner and her family to the Sun. She is an established all-star in our league and one of the most versatile players in our game. DB’s talent is undeniable but most impressive to me was the praise she had for our roster and her desire to join our nucleus as we chase our first championship.”

Bonner echoed his final point saying, “I’m excited to play with this talented group and do whatever I can to help this organization hang its first championship banner. Nothing is more important to me than winning.”

The magnitude of this trade cannot be overstated and Rebeca Lobo said it best:

The team is certainly in a position to win after re-signing Jonquel Jones.

The combination of Jones and Bonner under the basket should prove to be a nearly unstoppable two-headed beast. Bonner also has the ability to shoot threes, making at least 50 in each of her last three seasons of play. This versatility is something that will fit into the Sun’s plans well.

Connecticut plays more of a position-less brand of basketball and pairing Bonner with Jones will make it nearly impossible for anyone to get near the basket on either end of the court and for any defense to cover all five players on the court.

On a media call, Miller stated, “Obviously DeWanna Bonner was one of the most coveted free agents out there this season and a perennial All-Star. So to have her join the Sun, it’s a really exciting day for us. Her versatility makes her special. She has thrived at not only the three position in our league but has also played the four in recent years … So to add another versatile, established player in this league to our roster was something that was very intriguing and interesting for us and we’re so happy to have a part of the family.”

Miller also spoke about the decision for the team to include draft picks instead of players saying, “[It’s] never easy to give up draft picks. But we looked at it as we’re in a window right now with an outstanding roster that we felt like adding another established, talented piece was really, really important to us. And so we made the decision to not try to break up the core. And the way to do that was to include draft picks instead of necessarily players.”

The team has not yet re-signed starters Courtney Williams and Shekinna Stricklen, though Miller has not ruled out re-signing both of them.

Miller is optimistic about and hopes to have news regarding Williams and Stricklen soon he said, “I think those discussions, obviously all discussions are continuing … Financially there’s a lot of opportunities for us still.”

With Bonner on the roster and assuming Stricklen and Williams return, this team is set to make another deep run into the playoffs.

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