COLLEGE PARK, GA ― WNBA veteran DeWanna Bonner signing with the Atlanta Dream is now official.
On Thursday, Aug. 27, the Dream announced that they signed the two-time WNBA champion and six-time All-Star to a rest-of-season contract. ESPN and The Athletic reported that Bonner's deal is worth the prorated max of $116,000. Atlanta waived guards Aaliyah Nye and Jaylyn Sherrod in corresponding moves. Sherrod, who joined the team on June 29, was signed to a developmental contract.
The new Atlanta forward joins the team in her 17th season. Her arrival comes on the heels of a buyout after 37 games (including 26 starts) with the Phoenix Mercury, where she averaged 10.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. During her career, Bonner has spent time with the Mercury, Connecticut Sun and Indiana Fever, averaging 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game for her career.
She won championships with Phoenix in 2009 and 2014 and is the only player in league history to win Sixth Player of the Year three times. The 39-year-old is currently third on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list (8,200) and is just one of three players in league history to reach at least 7,000 points, 3,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists.
"It's been super exciting. I was really excited to have her here. She's probably been trying to get here for a couple of years now, and finally (her) being here when I'm here is really cool. She's kinda been like a big sister to me while I've been in this league, always checking in," Dream forward Angel Reese said.
Reese gleefully told media on-site Thursday that Bonner is a "fashion girlie" and into a lot of things that she is, and she looks forward to the fun relationship the pair will build in Atlanta. However, the Dream star also mentioned that Bonner will only make the team, which hopes to win a title this season, better.
"I think (she brings) the veteran leadership first. She's a two-time champion. So, that also helps as well. Knowing what it takes to be a champion. Me, also, for my first time going into the playoffs, understanding what it's gonna look like for me," Reese said. "But also just being able to see her versatility on the court. She's played three, played the four, played the two. She can do it all. She also plays well defensively, too. So I just think (she) brings more size, more length, and I'm sure she's excited to come here and be here, too."
Bonner was not on-site Thursday, but Atlanta general manager Dan Padover said she is expected to join the team on Friday, Aug. 28 following a physical and more logistical items she needs to complete. She will then likely attend Atlanta's Friday evening matchup at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia, as a spectator against the Portland Fire. Atlanta, which has already secured a spot in the playoffs, will let Bonner practice first and then determine when she will make her Dream debut.
The team only has two matchups (Friday vs. the Fire and Sunday, Aug. 30 against the Minnesota Lynx) before the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup break. When the World Cup ends, the Dream will only have four regular-season games remaining, beginning Sept. 17, before the postseason begins. Padover noted that the break comes at a good time because it will give Bonner a chance to get up to speed and then begin the postseason push.
"(We're) really just fortunate that (Bonner) even became available, and we think we're in a spot where, adding a player of (Bonner's) caliber, experience, and obviously, the way she plays the game, is really complementary to our group right now," Padover said.
"As you're gearing up for the postseason, anything to help you get that final push can really go a long way, and we felt (Bonner would) be a good addition this time of year."
Bonner brings a wealth of knowledge and postseason experience to Atlanta. She has appeared in 98 career playoff games, averaging 13.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per matchup. The 6-foot-4 forward is also the league's all-time postseason rebounds leader (668) and ranks second in WNBA playoff history in points (1,291) and steals (116).
"We've had a strong nucleus here (in Atlanta). A lot of players have that have been here for a little while, and we've had an ability to sprinkle some pieces in throughout. And a lot of our group is young, so when you have an opportunity here to bring in some veteran presence, I think you can really help these players grow and help our team get more competitive," Padover said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dream, Angel Reese praise DeWanna Bonner as Atlanta chases WNBA title
