From Mercury to Dream: 10-Time WNBA All-Star’s New Chapter
They say all good things must come to an end, right? Well, this is what we're seeing as Brittney Griner decides that she will sign with the Atlanta Dream after spending eleven seasons with the Phoenix Mercury as their number one draft pick in 2013. This decision comes after Griner’s agent revealed that she would meet with multiple teams in Miami during her Unrivaled League debut. Griner has made her mark in the league as a top-level center with a soft touch around the rim and an efficient jump shot. Over the span of her career, she has averaged 17.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks.
Griner has agreed to just a one-year deal with the Atlanta Dream. There, she will join their talented players, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. They will be led by Karl Smesko in his first year of coaching in the WNBA, he was hired from Florida Gulf Coast University this offseason. The addition of Griner makes a lot of sense for the Dream. Their current center, Tina Charles, came out of retirement in the 2024 season largely because of former head coach, Tanisha Wright. Now that she is out of the picture, the thought of Charles resigning hangs in the balance. Additionally, the Dream has had difficulties protecting the paint in the most recent seasons. A’ja Wilson’s 53-point game last year is living proof of that. Griner joining the Dream brings both an offensive and defensive boost.
Now, what does Griner’s departure mean to her? A new beginning is what she describes in a video posted on her Instagram. Griner divulges, "I'm thrilled for this chapter, my first time going into free agency, and it was cool. It was a hard decision because you're leaving what you know, what I've known for my whole career. But there's also a deciding factor of, OK, this is like a rebrand now. I get to show them something different." Her statement comes from an episode of a new documentary film series titled “Outside the Paint”, that will be released next week, according to her caption.
In the wake of this news, the Phoenix Mercury are making their own offseason moves. Alyssa Thomas and Tyasha Harris will be headed to the Mercury in part of a huge trade with the Connecticut Sun. The Sun will receive Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen, and the number twelve overall pick from the Mercury. Thomas was designated a core player earlier this month, so her only way out of Connecticut would be through a sign-and-trade. Thomas’ departure from the Sun isn’t very surprising as she has been vocal about the lack of the Sun’s facilities. In Phoenix, Thomas will have access to some of the WNBA’s premier facilities, as owner Mat Ishbia unveiled a brand-new 58,000 square-foot, one hundred million dollar facility in July last year.
If it wasn’t obvious already, the WNBA will look very different in the upcoming season. As we can see, the movement of these players brings a domino effect to the league. Especially, since so many players found themselves in free agency this year. May the players involved in these deals find joy and success in their newfound homes.
