The Phoenix Mercury, after a run to the WNBA Finals in 2025, announced on Sunday the re-signing of core players Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and Sami Whitcomb.
Copper, 31, averaged 15.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 26.9 minutes in 28 regular-season games (all starts) in her second season with Phoenix. The guard also averaged 17.8 points in starting 11 playoff games.
"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," general manager Nick U'Ren said in a statement. "Her impact on both ends of the court and ability to deliver in the biggest moments make her truly special."
ESPN reported that Copper's contract is for two years.
For her career, the four-time All-Star averages 12.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 24.1 minutes in 319 games (203 starts) for the Washington Mystics (2016), Chicago Sky (2017-23) and Mercury (2024-present).
Washington selected Copper seventh overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft out of Rutgers. She was the WNBA Finals MVP for the 2021 champion Chicago Sky.
A six-time All-Star, Bonner, 38, won league titles with the Mercury in 2009 and 2014 and was All-WNBA first team in 2015 and second team in 2020. She was thr Sixth Player of the Year for three straight seasons (2009-11).
Bonner was waived by the Indiana Fever on June 25, 2025, and signed with the Mercury on July 8.
She posted combined averages of 9.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 23.6 minutes in 33 games (four starts) last season, including 24 (one start) for the Mercury.
"Having DeWanna back in a Mercury uniform is incredibly meaningful to our organization," U'Ren said. "She brings a championship mindset, elite skillset and the kind of leadership that defines winning teams."
Bonner ranks third on the WNBA's all-time scoring list (7,807 points) as well as in games played (535) and free throws (1,938).
For her career, Bonner averages 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 30.0 minutes for the Mercury (2009-19, 2025), Connecticut Sun (2020-24) and Fever (2025).
Thomas, 34, averaged 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 31.3 minutes in starting all 39 regular-season games she played in her first campaign with the Mercury in 2025. The forward also averaged 16.9 points, 9.0 rebounds and 8.8 assists in starting all 11 playoff games.
The six-time All-Star has been selected first-team All-WNBA three times and to the All-Defensive first or second team seven times.
Thomas recorded an WNBA single-season record eight triple-doubles in 2025 and set the league mark with 357 assists.
"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," U'Ren said. "Her ability to control the game on both ends and elevate her teammates helped fuel our run to the finals last season."
Whitcomb, 37, averaged 9.1 points while hitting 38.5% of her shots from the floor, including 36.1% from long range as she made a team-high 86 3-pointers in 43 games (20 starts) with Phoenix.
For her career, Whitcomb averages 7.2 points and makes 39.2% from the field and 36.1% from distance range in 307 games (89 starts) for the Seattle Storm (2017-20, 2023-24), Liberty (2021-22) and Mercury. The guard won league titles with the Storm in 2018 and 2020.
--Field Level Media
