Brittney Griner is leaving the Phoenix Mercury after 11 years with the organization, ESPN’s Alexa Philipou first reported late Tuesday night. Her destination? The Atlanta Dream. Griner agreed to a one-year deal with the Dream that won’t be made official until Saturday.
Her decision to leave Phoenix and head to Atlanta comes just a few hours after it was reported that longtime Connecticut Sun star Alyssa Thomas was headed to Phoenix as part of a massive trade. (The Sun will receive Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen, and the 2025 No. 12 overall pick from the Mercury, and also send Ty Harris to Phoenix).
Brittney Griner heads to the Phoenix Mercury At 34 years old, Griner is not quite the force she once was — but she’s still one of the WNBA ’s elite centers, having averaged 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.
5 blocks per game last season. Griner is one of the league’s top rim protectors and a formidable presence in the post, who was one of the most highly-regarded free agents on the market. Griner had been linked to several organizations, including the Las Vegas Aces, but instead lands in Atlanta, who was 15-25 last season.
That Dream were riddled with injuries last year, but have a chance at establishing a new core around Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Jordin Canada, and Griner next season. Howard averaged 17.3 points last season, Gray averaged 15.
6 points, and Canada averaged 10.6 points and 5.8 assists.
All four players are currently playing in Unrivaled, the new profession.
