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Indiana Fever GM Gets Honest About Decision to 'Part Ways' With DeWanna Bonner

Fever GM Amber Cox sent a clear message about the team electing to waive DeWanna Bonner.
Grant Young|
From left, Indiana Fever General Manager Amber Cox, President of Basketball and Business Operations Kelly Krauskopf, forward DeWanna Bonner and head coach Stephanie White pose with Bonner’s jersey Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
From left, Indiana Fever General Manager Amber Cox, President of Basketball and Business Operations Kelly Krauskopf, forward DeWanna Bonner and head coach Stephanie White pose with Bonner’s jersey Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. | Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The women's basketball community has been buzzing about the Indiana Fever's decision to waive DeWanna Bonner on June 25, which came one day after it was reported that Bonner (who had sat out games ever since June 10) was seeking an exit from the franchise.

In a June 25 press release breaking this news, Bonner was quoted as saying, "I want to sincerely thank the Indiana Fever for the opportunity to be part of the Fever franchise. Despite our shared goals and excitement heading into the season, I felt the fit did not work out and I appreciate the organization's willingness to grant my request to move on, particularly at this point in my career."

Fever GM Amber Cox spoke with the media ahead of Indiana's June 26 game against the Los Angeles Sparks and detailed the decision to waive Bonner.

"As we got into the season, she just expressed that she felt like it wasn't a good fit for her. We talked through that, we had conversations... and we just couldn't get it to a place where it felt good for her," Cox said of Bonner, per an X post from Chloe Peterson of IndyStar.

"In the process, we explored trade options... given the level of DeWanna's contract, we just couldn't find something suitable. At the end of the day, we respect her status as a veteran of this league... so we just felt like it was best for all parties to part ways. Wish her nothing but the best, sorry it didn't work out, but we move on," Cox added.

Props to Cox for holding no ill will towards Bonner in the wake of what could have become a messy situation for all sides.

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Grant Young
GRANT YOUNG

Grant Young covers Women’s Basketball, the Indiana Fever and the New York Mets for Sports Illustrated’s ‘On SI’ sites. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco (USF), where he also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and played on USF’s Division I baseball team for five years. However, he now prefers Angel Reese to Angels in the Outfield.

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