Story perspectives

Atlanta Dream Sign DeWanna Bonner for 2026 Playoffs

8/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Atlanta Dream signed veteran DeWanna Bonner as a free agent for the remainder of the 2026 season and playoffs.
Bonner cleared waivers and became an unrestricted free agent.
She reached a buyout with Phoenix Mercury on Aug. 24 after the team missed the playoffs.
Bonner’s prorated max contract will pay about $116,000 for the rest of the 2026 season.

History

Historical Context

When the Women's National Basketball Association launched in 1997, eight inaugural franchises, including the Phoenix Mercury, began professional play. The league’s first collective bargaining agreement capped rookie salaries at $30,000, while veteran contracts averaged $115,000, as reported by the WNBA Players Association. Today, DeWanna Bonner’s $116,000 prorated max with the Atlanta Dream mirrors the early-era veteran pay scale, illustrating persistent salary structures. This continuity signals that despite two decades of growth, the WNBA’s compensation framework remains anchored to its 1997 financial foundations, prompting calls for further raises.

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Story summary

Atlanta Dream signed veteran DeWanna Bonner as a free agent for the remainder of the 2026 season and playoffs.
Bonner cleared waivers and became an unrestricted free agent.
She reached a buyout with Phoenix Mercury on Aug. 24 after the team missed the playoffs.
Bonner’s prorated max contract will pay about $116,000 for the rest of the 2026 season.

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