Following their journey to the 2025 WNBA Finals, the Phoenix Mercury made official Sunday the contract renewals of four veteran players: Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, and Sami Whitcomb.
The 31-year-old Copper put up 15.6 points per game along with 2.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 steals while playing 26.9 minutes across 28 regular season contests (starting every game) during her sophomore campaign in Phoenix. During the team’s playoff run, the guard elevated her scoring to 17.8 points per game through 11 postseason starts.
General manager Nick U’Ren praised Copper’s contributions in a statement: “Kahleah is a true leader, on and off the court, one of the most explosive athletes in our game and competes with a relentless edge and toughness. Her impact on both ends of the court and ability to deliver in the biggest moments make her truly special.”
According to ESPN’s reporting, Copper’s new deal spans two seasons.
The four-time All-Star’s career statistics show 12.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists across 24.1 minutes per contest over 319 total games (starting 203) with stops in Washington (2016), Chicago (2017-23), and Phoenix (2024-present).
Originally drafted seventh overall by Washington in 2016 from Rutgers University, Copper earned WNBA Finals MVP honors when Chicago captured the 2021 championship.
The 38-year-old Bonner brings six All-Star selections and championship experience from Phoenix’s title runs in 2009 and 2014. She earned All-WNBA first team recognition in 2015 and second team honors in 2020, plus three consecutive Sixth Player of the Year awards (2009-11).
After Indiana released Bonner on June 25, 2025, Phoenix quickly signed her on July 8.
Last season, she contributed 9.8 points and 4.2 rebounds over 23.6 minutes in 33 total appearances (four starts), with 24 of those games (one start) coming in a Mercury uniform.
U’Ren emphasized Bonner’s value to the organization: “Having DeWanna back in a Mercury uniform is incredibly meaningful to our organization. She brings a championship mindset, elite skillset and the kind of leadership that defines winning teams.”
Bonner currently sits third in WNBA history for career points (7,807), games played (535), and free throws made (1,938).
Throughout her career with Phoenix (2009-19, 2025), Connecticut (2020-24), and Indiana (2025), Bonner has averaged 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals over 30.0 minutes per game.
Thomas, 34, delivered 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 31.3 minutes per game while starting all 39 regular season games during her inaugural Phoenix season in 2025. The forward maintained her production in the playoffs with 16.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 8.8 assists across 11 postseason starts.
The six-time All-Star has earned All-WNBA first team selection three times and made the All-Defensive first or second team seven times throughout her career.
Thomas established new WNBA single-season records in 2025 with eight triple-doubles and 357 total assists.
U’Ren highlighted Thomas’s impact on the team’s success: “Alyssa is a generational player, natural leader and one of the fiercest competitors our sport has seen, and we’re excited to have her back in Phoenix. Her ability to control the game on both ends and elevate her teammates helped fuel our run to the finals last season.”
The 37-year-old Whitcomb averaged 9.1 points while shooting 38.5% from the field and 36.1% from three-point range, leading the team with 86 made three-pointers across 43 games (20 starts) with Phoenix.
Over her career spanning Seattle (2017-20, 2023-24), New York (2021-22), and Phoenix, Whitcomb has posted 7.2 points per game on 39.2% field goal shooting and 36.1% three-point accuracy in 307 games (89 starts). The guard won championships with Seattle in 2018 and 2020.
