DeWanna Bonner Just ABANDONED Caitlin Clark & The Fever — BUT They’re INSTANTLY Better Off

There’s never a dull moment in the WNBA, but the news of DeWanna Bonner declining to join Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever stings a little extra—at least at first glance. Bonner, a five-time All-Star, was rumored to be a top free agent target for the surging Fever, especially with the additions of household rookie Caitlin Clark and last season’s breakout star, Aliyah Boston. On paper, adding an experienced, clutch, and versatile scorer like Bonner could have been exactly what the Fever needed to leap from promising underdog to full-powered contender. But as the dust settles, there’s a growing sense that Bonner’s decision to stay away may be a blessing in disguise—not only for the franchise, but for Clark and her new teammates too. Here’s why.

A Star on the Move—or Not

First, a bit of context. The Fever’s rebuild has been among the most followed stories in women’s basketball. The team secured Boston with the No. 1 pick in 2023, and quickly transitioned to a high octane, modern game style under Coach Christie Sides. Then, the 2024 WNBA Draft delivered perhaps the most hyped rookie since Breanna Stewart: Caitlin Clark, national sensation, scoring machine, and universally celebrated as a culture-changer for the league.

As Clark’s fever (pun intended) swept the nation, the front office was busy at work. Rumors circulated that Indiana was gunning for DeWanna Bonner—a proven winner who was coming off a monster year with the Connecticut Sun and, incidentally, one of the only players who’s ever even slowed Clark down in competition. But as free agency got serious, Bonner ultimately opted to stay with the Sun, where she’s long been a fan favorite and a franchise leader.

For the Fever, it seemed like a massive missed opportunity. But was it really?

Why Missing Out on Bonner is a Good Thing

Let’s get this out of the way: DeWanna Bonner is a WNBA superstar. She can score inside and out, rebound with the best, and has enough defense in her to make playoff-winning plays. So why would her “abandonment” possibly help Indiana?

1. It’s Clark’s Team, Now and Forever

The Caitlin Clark era is about more than highlight reels. For the first time in years, Indiana has a clear identity. Fans aren’t just buying tickets to see a game—they’re there to see her. Bringing in Bonner, a bona fide leader in her own right, could have muddied the water when it comes to whose voice commands the huddle.

Clark needs space to develop her leadership skills at the professional level. Assume Bonner’s imposing personality and clutch late-game shot selection? The ball would flow away from the perimeter and toward the mid-post, undermining the run-and-gun pace fans fell in love with at Iowa. Without Bonner, the path is clear: This is still the Caitlin and Aliyah show. No distractions—and no doubt about whose hands the ball ends up in with the game on the line.

2. Emphasizing Player Development—and Chemistry

One of the hidden roadblocks in the WNBA’s superteam era is the awkward fit between aging stars and hungry young talent. Adding Bonner might have squeezed out minutes and opportunities for the likes of Kelsey Mitchell, NaLyssa Smith, and Grace Berger—all players the Fever desperately need to keep growing if they want a sustained run of success.

By not signing a Hall of Fame-bound vet, the Fever are forced to lean into their own player pipeline. That means patience, sure, but also the acceleration of crucial on-court chemistry. Boston and Smith can build a twin-tower attack. Clark and Mitchell can form the league’s most exciting backcourt. The team will sink or swim as a unit, learning from mistakes and, win or lose, earning fans’ loyalty with every gritty play.

3. Financial Flexibility and Smart Cap Strategy

Let’s face it: The WNBA’s salary cap isn’t forgiving, and megastar contracts can handcuff teams for years. With Boston, Smith, and Clark on rookie-scale deals, Indiana has a golden window—one that might slam shut if they added a max-level player like Bonner.

By keeping their financial powder dry, the Fever remain one of the league’s most flexible organizations. That means they can pounce on the next must-have free agent, re-sign their phenomenally talented young core, or swing a midseason trade for a shooter or rim protector at a moment’s notice. In the long-term, this kind of flexibility is how contenders are made.

4. No “Old vs. New” Drama

Let’s not ignore the soap opera side of things. The WNBA has been plagued at times by rifts between established stars and incoming phenoms, especially as the league continues its generational changeover. Bonner, who’s seen it all and played with everyone, might have fit just fine—or she might have chafed at ceding possessions to a rookie sensation.

What Indiana has instead is buy-in. Everyone is hungry, everyone is ascending, and no one feels like their job is being handed elsewhere. For a young locker room, that’s priceless.

5. The Potential for a Faster Pace

Bonner, even at her peak, was never a track star. Her game is cerebral, rangy, methodical. Clark’s game? All speed, chaos, and deep bombs. What the Fever need is more transition buckets, faster outlets, and easier points—not another half-court focal point.

Without Bonner, Coach Sides can turn the pace up to maximum, letting Clark’s zip passes and Boston’s elite rim running transform Indiana into the league’s most exciting team almost overnight.

The Bottom Line: This Is Just the Beginning

So yes, it would have been dramatic to see DeWanna Bonner and Caitlin Clark share the court—but it’s even more compelling to watch an ultra-talented, ultra-hungry Fever squad forge its own identity, on its own terms, from the ground up.

Bonner didn’t “abandon” Indiana so much as she backed away from a crowded party. For Clark, Boston, and the rest: sometimes the greatest leap forward comes when no one’s blocking your way. The Fever are better off because now, for the first time in a decade, the future is unmistakably theirs—and it’s never looked brighter.

Buckle up, WNBA fans. The Indiana Fever are just getting started.