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‘The Timing Felt Really Suspicious’ — WNBA Analyst Raises Concern About DeWanna Bonner’s Late-Season Dream Move As Angel Reese and Co. Thrive in Playoffs

The Atlanta Dream’s playoff push has reignited debate over late-season roster maneuvers in the WNBA, as the team’s strong 1-0 series lead over the New York Liberty puts them in title contention. DeWanna Bonner’s move from the Phoenix Mercury to Atlanta in late August—just five days after Phoenix’s playoff elimination—has drawn scrutiny from analyst Rachel DeMita, who questioned whether the timing was opportunistic.

Bonner, who played only four regular-season games with Phoenix before securing a buyout, joined the Dream on August 27, positioning herself to compete for a championship with a team already deep in the postseason. While the WNBA’s shorter season allows for such late additions, DeMita argued the practice could undermine league integrity if players routinely abandon non-playoff teams to chase rings.

The Dream’s success, fueled by standout performances from Angel Reese, has only amplified the conversation about whether the league’s roster flexibility should be adjusted to prevent perceived ring-chasing strategies.

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