This WNBA offseason has already seen a lot of movement and several stars changing teams. The first blockbuster trade of the offseason sent Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces and Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks. After that, the Phoenix Mercury acquired Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally, and Ariel Atkins was traded to the Chicago Sky. In free agency, DeWanna Bonner, Brionna Jones, Brittney Griner, Natasha Howard, and Courtney Vandersloot all moved teams.
Several of those players will have a significant impact on their new team. Trading for Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally, for example, ensures that the Mercury can still compete, even after losing Brittney Griner in free agency and Diana Taurasi to retirement. Courtney Vandersloot is expected to help Angel Reese develop in Chicago, and Kelsey Plum will help the Sparks take the next step.
Another player may have an even bigger impact, however.
DeWanna Bonner will be the key to the Fever reaching the next level
It only took the Indiana Fever one season to realize they had something special with Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. They have two superstars in the making and wasted no time putting good veterans around them.
The Fever are undoubtedly one of the winners of this offseason, but no addition promises to make more of a difference with their new team than DeWanna Bonner. The veteran may be 37 years old already, but she can still put up around 15 points a game, rebound well, and guard some of the best players in the league.
Indiana already has the foundation for its future in place. What they needed to win in the 2025 season were savvy veterans with championship experience, who could not only help carry the scoring load but also make an impact defensively. Bonner is just that, and adding her to the roster is what made the Fever look like a truly competitive team.
Especially her defense will be key to the Fever’s success. The Fever were one of the worst defensive teams in the WNBA last season, and they need to change that if they want to compete with the best teams in the league. Improving the Fever’s defense will not just be on Bonner, though. Natasha Howard and Sophie Cunningham will also add some much-needed energy on that end of the floor.
Though important, Bonner’s defense is not the only thing that could push the Fever to the next level. Over her career, she has consistently been a double-digit scorer who can create her own shot. Between Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and DeWanna Bonner, defenses will struggle to contain the Fever’s offense.
While Clark and Boston are the keys to the Fever’s future and the main reason for the team’s success, Bonner may end up making the difference between simply making the playoffs and giving teams like the Liberty, Lynx, and Aces some serious trouble.