The Indiana Fever hit the ground running as the free agency period opened in February 2025.
The Fever signed Natasha Howard, a great defensive presence and capable post scorer. Indiana also traded away NaLyssa Smith in a three-team deal and got back Sophie Cunningham to provide more shooting to this already stacked deep attack.
But the latest move came Sunday, when the Fever signed Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner to a one-year deal. These moves, in addition to the hiring of former Sun head coach Stephanie White, catapulted the Fever to title contenders overnight.
Bonner is an intriguing move, especially because of what she did against the Fever in the WNBA Playoffs. The 37-year-old has a ton of experience, especially during her 10-year stint with the Phoenix Mercury where she won two WNBA titles. She brings a unique offensive skillset, utilizing a mix of elite ball handling and efficient shooting with her 6-foot-4 frame.
But above all else, Bonner brings Indiana two very important qualities that led to the Fever's elimination last season:
Defense and toughness
It is no secret that the Fever can score. Caitlin Clark led the league in assists last year, leading an offense that averaged 85 points per game. The Fever trailed only the Las Vegas Aces and the eventual-champion New York Liberty in that category.
The Fever also averaged the second-most points allowed per game (87.7 PPG).
The Fever's mindset in 2024 was completely offensive. They didn't think about stopping the other team-- they wanted to force the other team to keep up with them. Unfortunately, the WNBA is chock full of rosters that can not only score with the best of them, but also limit the best offenses. The Fever were unable to do the latter efficiently.
Bonner immediately flips the script.
Bonner is a tall and slender build, playing much like Kevin Durant in some respects. She thrives defensively in passing lanes and around the rim. She and Howard both add a completely different identity to this Indiana Fever squad-- and the fact that both players have played under White already is a huge plus.
Just days prior to free agency period, it was unsure if Indiana had the depth in the frontcourt to make a run in 2025. Now, it seems like the rich got even richer.