Indiana Fever Cut Ties With Bonner Amid Chemistry Concerns
The Indiana Fever made a major move Wednesday, officially waiving DeWanna Bonner, one of their biggest offseason acquisitions. The move comes just 14 games into the season as the franchise looks to regroup and build a more cohesive roster around Caitlin Clark.
After signing a one-year deal, Bonner never fully found her rhythm in Indiana. She was benched just three games in, and sources told the Indianapolis Star that she “never felt like it was a good fit.” Attempts to work her into different rotations, including a bench role, reportedly didn’t sit well with the veteran, ultimately leading to a trade request. However, her contract size and early timing in the season made it hard to find a trade partner.
Aari McDonald Returns as Fever Reset
In a corresponding move, Indiana re-signed Aari McDonald to a rest-of-season deal. McDonald was previously on a hardship contract earlier this year when Clark and others were sidelined with injuries. She now returns on a veteran minimum deal with a chance to become a regular contributor in the Fever’s evolving backcourt.
Bonner’s Brief Stint in Indiana Ends Quietly
Bonner, 37, averaged just 7.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 34.5% from the field over nine games. A sharp decline from her 15-point average last season. While things didn’t work out in Indiana, Bonner’s résumé and experience will likely attract interest from other WNBA contenders.
With Caitlin Clark back healthy, Aliyah Boston dominant in the paint, and Kelsey Mitchell heating up from deep. Indiana still has the pieces to make noise in the playoff hunt, especially now with a roster that seems more aligned in chemistry and fit.
Read More: DeWanna Bonner Set to Leave Fever After Just Nine Games
