I don't think that there is much chance that Dawanna Bonner or Alyssa Thomas will play for another WNBA team next year. They are both very well-paid relative to other WNBA players, and they have been free agents before and have chosen to return to Connecticut. I think it would disrupt their personal lives to move elsewhere, especially if they don't move together.
However, I do think that there is a distinct possibility that Bonner (age 37) will retire and not return at all next year. If she does, Olivia (unless she is left unprotected and goes to the Valkyries) will have an opportunity to move into the starting lineup. She is no Dawanna Bonner (and her game is entirely different anyway), but I think she can be a good enough center to allow the Sun to win a championship if the other pieces remain in place.
Connecticut will have $621,000 come off the books with AT, Bonner and Brionna Jones becoming UFA's.
In all candor, the front office might hope -- a lot -- that DB does retire because they'll probably be willing to resign AT.
The key, imho, is what will they do with Brionna Jones? Do they stick with her?
If Oliva Nelson-Ododa does move into a starting role, it would be for Jones, who plays the true center role.
However, if Bonner is retired, Conn will have funds to look for another free agent at the forward position.
This will be interesting....
