Why the Mercury are buying out DeWanna Bonner's contract

The Phoenix Mercury will not make the WNBA playoffs in 2026. That was fairly clear when last season's finalists began this year with a 2-8 record, but it was mathematically confirmed in a loss to the Atlanta Dream on Saturday.On Monday, the Mercury announced it had reached an agreement with veteran forward DeWanna Bonner over a contract buyout. The 38-year-old came up just short in last season's WNBA Finals, and Phoenix now is affording her a chance to latch on with a contender and pursue a third career championship before a possible retirement this winter.MORE: Alyssa Thomas enters WNBA club of one on night Mercury season ends"DeWanna has been an important part of our team and brought tremendous leadership, experience and competitiveness to the Mercury,” general manager Nick U’Ren said in