DeWanna Bonner is Cut by the Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever have made the decision to cut guard/forward DeWanna Bonner, one of their key acquisitions in free agency during the offseason, after she missed five games for personal reasons. The team has signed guard Aari McDonald, who had previously been with the team under a hardship contract due to injuries, for the remainder of the season.
Bonner, who averaged double-digit scoring figures in each of her previous 15 seasons in the WNBA and has been a full-time starter since 2012, only started in three of the Fever’s nine games in which she participated, averaging 7.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. Sources indicate that, nearing the end of his career at 37 years old, Bonner didn’t believe things would work out for the rest of this season in Indiana and considered retirement. The decision to cut Bonner will allow her to play for another team this season. She has to wait a 48-hour period where other teams can claim her on waivers for the remainder of her $200,000 salary owed to her for her one-year unprotected contract with the Fever. If no team does, Bonner will be a free agent and can sign for the veteran minimum if necessary to fit into the salary cap of the team she chooses. It has been indicated that Phoenix, where Bonner began her career in 2009 as the number 5 pick from Auburn and won two titles, is one of her preferred destinations. Bonner played her first 10 years in Phoenix and the last five in Connecticut before signing with Indiana. She missed the 2017 season after giving birth to twins. The Fever revamped their roster this season around No. 1 picks Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark, bringing in veterans Bonner, Natasha Howard, Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson to give Indiana more experience. On paper, Bonner seemed to fit well with what Indiana needed. McDonald, the number 3 pick in the 2021 draft from Arizona, played his first three seasons with Atlanta and last year with Los Angeles. In three games with the Fever this season, while Clark was out with a quadriceps injury, McDonald averaged 11.0 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals.“I sincerely want to thank the Indiana Fever for the opportunity to be part of the Fever franchise. Despite our shared goals and excitement at the beginning of the season, I felt the adaptation didn’t work and I appreciate the organization’s willingness to grant my request to move forward, 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”.
DeWanna Bonner
The Fever’s general manager, Amber Cox, stated:“I am very excited to rejoin the Fever. Although my time with the team was brief, I immediately felt it was the place to be. I am grateful for the warm welcome from the coaches, teammates and fans, and above all, I thank God for the incredible journey I am experiencing”.
Aari McDonald
“From the moment she arrived in Indy, Aari clearly fit in with the style and mentality we are building here with the Fever. Although she was only here for a few games, her impact as a playmaker and defender was evident. We are very excited to welcome her back for the rest of the season.”
Amber Cox
