Veteran Forward Bonner Joins Dream in Bid for Third Title
DeWanna Bonner signed with the Atlanta Dream for the rest of the season after a buyout from Phoenix. The 17-year veteran receives a prorated max contract worth roughly $116,000. She aims to help Atlanta contend for a championship while adding scoring and experience.
Bonner's winding career path has taken her through Connecticut, Indiana, and Phoenix before this latest stop in Atlanta. Her departure from the Fever last season was abrupt, and lingering tension with that franchise adds narrative weight to the current standings, where the Dream and Fever sit fourth and fifth respectively. A first-round playoff meeting between the two would carry obvious subtext.
Her production this season has dipped to 10.6 points per game on 39.4% shooting, a step back from her usual output. Still, Atlanta is betting that her championship pedigree and ability to stretch the floor from the frontcourt will prove valuable in the postseason push. The prorated max salary of roughly $116,000 reflects the team's commitment.
This signing could reshape the WNBA playoff picture, potentially altering the competitive balance in the league's closing weeks. Fans may see heightened interest in Dream games, particularly if a first-round matchup with Indiana materializes, adding emotional stakes to an already compelling postseason race. The deal also underscores how veteran experience is increasingly valued in title pursuits,