The Indiana Fever are making a statement. Their offseason began with parting ways with former head coach Christie Sides, only to replace her with 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year Stephanie White. Then, they re-signed two-time All-Star Kelsey Mitchell, traded forward NaLyssa Smith and the No. 8 overall pick to the Dallas Wings for guard Sophie Cunningham, and signed two-time All-Star and three-time WNBA champion Natasha Howard. Even if Indiana had stopped there, fans would have been excited about the team’s potential heading into next season.
But the Fever weren’t done. They made a move that took them from a likely playoff team to a legitimate title contender by signing six-time All-Star and two-time WNBA champion DeWanna Bonner to a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou.
Breaking: Six-time All-Star and WNBA champion DeWanna Bonner is signing with the Indiana Fever, sources told ESPN.
By re-signing Mitchell, adding Cunningham, and bringing in experienced veterans like Bonner and Howard, the Fever have firmly entered the championship conversation.
Bonner, 37, spent the last five seasons with the Connecticut Sun, averaging 16.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. She helped lead the Sun to the semifinals and the WNBA Finals in 2022. Last season, Bonner was Connecticut’s leading scorer, averaging 15 points per game, while ranking second on the team in rebounds (six per game), earning her third All-Star selection in four years.
With Bonner joining 2024 No. 1 overall pick and reigning Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark, 2023 No. 1 overall pick Aliyah Boston, Mitchell, and Cunningham, the Fever now have a star-studded core. Indiana finished last season 20-20 before being eliminated in the first round by Connecticut. Now, they’ve not only strengthened their roster but also added two key pieces from the very team that knocked them out—Bonner and White.
