After a buyout, a championship run and a finals defeat, 39‑year‑old DeWanna Bonner stands at a career crossroads.
Key points
- Bonner helped the Atlanta Dream reach the 2026 WNBA Finals after a contract buyout from Phoenix.
- She is third on the WNBA’s all‑time scoring list and one of four players with over 8,000 points.
- At 39, she must decide between retirement and another season, both viable options given her veteran value.
The Phoenix Mercury agreed to a contract buyout that allowed veteran forward DeWanna Bonner to sign with the Atlanta Dream, a move that helped the Dream reach the 2026 WNBA Finals before falling to the Golden State Valkyries, according to a Sports Illustrated On SI report (https://www.si.com/onsi/womens-fastbreak/wnba/dewanna-bonner-faces-tough-wnba-career-decision-after-dream-s-finals-defeat-01m6e3d8w928).
Bonner’s impact was most evident in the semifinals, where she stepped up as the Dream swept the New York Liberty after Allisha Gray’s injury limited the Liberty’s star. Teammates have repeatedly cited her leadership and veteran experience as key factors in Atlanta’s deep playoff run, even though she was quiet and struggled with scoring efficiency in the finals against the Valkyries’ top defense.
Bonner’s career highlights
Over 17 seasons, Bonner has cemented a place among the WNBA’s all‑time greats: she ranks third on the league’s all‑time scoring list behind Diana Taurasi and Tina Charles, is one of only four players to surpass 8,000 career points (the fourth being Nneka Ogwumike), and has earned six All‑Star selections, the most recent in 2024. Her résumé also includes All‑WNBA First Team and All‑Defensive Second Team honors in 2015, an All‑WNBA Second Team nod in 2020, and three consecutive Sixth Player of the Year awards from 2009 to 2011.
Now, at 39, Bonner faces a choice that “makes sense either way,” as the article notes. She could retire on her terms after a season that added a finals appearance to her legacy, or she could return for at least one more year to try to bring the Dream back to the championship series.
Dream’s run to the finals
The decision, the report emphasizes, is personal: there is no right or wrong path, only what Bonner feels is best for her at this stage of her career.
Reader questions
What are DeWanna Bonner’s most notable career achievements?
She ranks third in all‑time WNBA scoring, is among the four players with 8,000+ points, has six All‑Star appearances, and has earned All‑WNBA and defensive honors as well as three consecutive Sixth Player of the Year awards.
How did the Atlanta Dream reach the 2026 finals?
Bonner’s leadership was pivotal, especially in the semifinals sweep of the New York Liberty after Allisha Gray’s injury, and her veteran presence helped guide younger teammates throughout the playoff run.
What factors are influencing Bonner’s retirement decision?
Her age (39), the recent finals loss, her still‑present on‑court value, and the desire to end her career on her own terms are cited as key considerations.
Source: si.com
