Fever grant DeWanna Bonner’s release request, re-sign Aari McDonald; Dantas Departs for Brazil
After a brief stint, DeWanna Bonner leaves the Fever citing poor fit. Aari McDonald returns on a rest-of-season deal, while Damiris Dantas departs to represent Brazil in international play.
Four months after signing with the Indiana Fever, veteran forward DeWanna Bonner wanted out.
Bonner last played for the team on June 10, a Commissioner’s Cup loss in Atlanta. She recorded five points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 20 minutes. Since then, she had been away from the team for what was labeled as “personal reasons.”
Now, two weeks later, there’s clarity on her situation.
“I want to sincerely thank the Indiana Fever for the opportunity to be part of the Fever franchise,” she said in a statement.
“Despite our shared goals and excitement heading into the season, I felt the fit did not work out and I appreciate the organization’s willingness to grant my request to move on, particularly at this point in my career. I wish the Fever great success as they continue to build around this dynamic group of young players.”
On Tuesday night, before the separation from finalized, she posted photos with her kids on Instagram with the caption: “My greatest loves!! I love you!”
After starting the season’s first three games, Bonner was replaced in the starting lineup by Lexie Hull. Bonner struggled to fit in early, scoring just eight total points in those games. She appeared in six more contests and has been away from the team for the past five games.
The Fever had high hopes for Bonner, the WNBA’s third all-time leading scorer. She and her new teammates celebrated that milestone earlier this season.
“I've never played in front of a crowd like this before,” she said after the home game. “Coming into the league 16, 17 years ago, we didn't have this type of attention.
“When I walked out, I'm just like, ‘Oh, my God. I think I was a little shell shocked.”
Before the season began, she expressed enthusiasm about bringing leadership, sharing her experience, and helping guide the Fever back to contention.
Head coach Stephanie White, who previously coached Bonner in Connecticut, said recently that there hadn’t been many conversations between them.
“We've really been focused on the group that we have right here and what we need to do to position ourselves to win,” White said prior to Tuesday’s win in Seattle. Before that road trip, she had described Bonner’s status as “purely day-to-day.”
Bonner signed a one-year, unprotected deal with the Fever worth $200,000, per Spotrac. Because the contract was unprotected, the team is only responsible for paying the prorated portion tied to her time with the franchise.
Given Indiana’s salary cap constraints, trading her was unlikely. Waiving her created both cap space and an open roster spot.
That spot was immediately filled by guard Aari McDonald, who signed a rest-of-season contract. She previously joined the team on a hardship exception and stood out while Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham were sidelined with injuries.
“I’m so excited to rejoin the Fever,” McDonald said. “Although my time with the team was brief, it immediately felt like the place to be. I’m grateful for the warm welcome from the coaches, teammates, and fans—and most of all, I thank God for the incredible journey I’m on.”
McDonald made quite the first impression in a June 3rd win over Washington. She finished with seven points, five assists, three steals, and zero turnovers in 28 minutes.
GM Amber Cox: “From the moment she arrived in Indy, Aari was a clear fit with the style and mentality we are building here with the Fever. Though only here a few games, her impact as a playmaker and a defender was evident.”
Damiris Dantas to Miss Time
Backup center Damiris Dantas will be away from the Fever for the next few weeks to represent the Brazilian National Team in the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup in Chile. Brazil has games scheduled for June 28, June 30, July 1, and July 2.
To create roster flexibility, the Fever temporarily suspended her on Wednesday. That opens up another roster spot.
The Fever are supportive of her decision to play for her national team, but they’re going to miss her. Especially when they play for a Commissioner’s Cup championship in Minneapolis on July 1.
Dantas spent the bulk of her career with the Minnesota Lynx, who drafted her 12th overall in 2012.
“What DD brings to our team is such a different viewpoint than AB (Aliyah Boston),” White said. “Her ability to stretch the floor, to use her in a pick-and-pop, to defend multiple looks. She’s experienced and she can play inside, outside.
“We’re going to miss using her as a complement to AB because it does give opponents such a different look. She leads by example. She doesn't make a lot of mistakes. She goes out there and she continues to make big shots for us and make an impact for us. And so we're going to miss her.
“Certainly supportive of her opportunity that's in front of her. I think having a veteran like DD on a young team for Brazil is going to give her a great opportunity to grow from a leadership standpoint as well. And we'll wish her the best.”
The Fever are currently navigating a tough stretch — four games in six days — with back-to-back games Thursday and Friday: home against Los Angeles, then on the road at Dallas.
Ok Scott. Is anyone going to ask the Fever front office just WHEN they knew DB was unhappy and WHY they let her sit out so many games while our potential for additional cap money dwindled away? If you've been on social media at all in the last 36 hours I'm sure you've noticed the feelings of betrayal and distrust from the fans of both DB and the powers that be. OR maybe you've seen the comments over the last month with the speculation flying about Coach White, her absences, and the drastic changes in the team AND especially CC? Sadly, most chatter I'm hearing isn't positive and the lack of details on the timeline of things and who knew what and when they knew it just leaves an info vacuum to be filled. On the internet, that's a dangerous thing.
I feel sad for the team, the staff, and even DB (though not as much as the team and staff) for the way this bit of unprofessionalism has played out. The truth would be preferred. When making decisions on when, how, and where to spend their hard earned money, things like this make many question giving it to an organization they no longer trust. I wonder if it will come to light? I hope it does and helps lift the shadows cast here over an organization who seemed so singularly focused on basketball, not the drama of last year.