The Phoenix Mercury made a quick roster change shortly after DeWanna Bonner left the team. The team announced on Tuesday that it signed rookie guard Saylor Poffenbarger to a seven-day contract. Bonner and the Mercury ended their association after Phoenix was eliminated from playoff contention. Bonner reached a buyout agreement with the team on Monday.
The veteran player wanted to explore opportunities with other teams that might have a better shot at winning a championship. Poffenbarger, 23 years old, played her final college season at Maryland where she started all 31 games, according to The Sporting News. She showed strong rebounding skills for a guard, which could help her earn playing time in Phoenix’s rotation. Bonner had been a key player for the team, averaging 2 steals in 31 games as a starter, according to a report from Yahoo Sports. Her departure leaves a large gap that Poffenbarger will have to help fill, though her contract is only for a short time. The Mercury are no longer in contention for the playoffs, which could give Poffenbarger a better chance to prove herself. The team is still determining how much time Poffenbarger will get with the squad during her limited stay.
Bonner’s exit marks a shift in the team’s direction after a disappointing season that ended without playoff hopes. The Mercury are now focused on building for the future, and signing Poffenbarger is one way they might look ahead.
Poffenbarger is not completely new to the WNBA. She went undrafted in the 2026 WNBA Draft but later spent time with the Chicago Sky, appearing in five games before becoming available. Her time in Chicago was limited, but it gave her an early look at the speed and physical demands of the professional game. Now Phoenix can evaluate her in a different role and potentially give her more minutes than she received during her first WNBA opportunity.
Her college numbers suggest there is more to her game than scoring. During her final season at Maryland, Poffenbarger averaged 9.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.9 steals while starting all 31 games. She led Maryland in rebounding and finished second on the team in assists and steals. At her size, her ability to rebound from the guard position could give Phoenix another player capable of helping finish defensive possessions and immediately pushing the ball up the floor.
The seven-day contract also gives the Mercury flexibility. Rather than committing to a longer deal immediately, Phoenix can see how Poffenbarger fits with the team’s remaining players in practices and games. For Poffenbarger, the arrangement amounts to an extended audition. Strong performances could lead to another contract with Phoenix or draw interest from another WNBA team looking for young depth.
Bonner’s situation is considerably different. At 38, the six-time WNBA All-Star is at a stage of her career where another championship opportunity carries more weight than remaining with a team outside the postseason picture. Her buyout allows her to become available to teams preparing for a playoff run, provided she clears the necessary league process.
Phoenix, meanwhile, has the opportunity to use the remainder of the season to evaluate younger players and begin making decisions about the roster it wants to carry forward. Poffenbarger’s short-term signing may appear minor compared with Bonner’s departure, but opportunities like this can be important for undrafted players trying to establish themselves in the league.
For Poffenbarger, the next several days could therefore mean much more than simply filling an open roster spot. Every practice and every minute on the court gives her another opportunity to show that the rebounding, defensive activity and versatility she displayed at Maryland can translate to the WNBA. With Phoenix looking toward the future, she may have arrived at exactly the right time to earn a longer look.
IMAGE: Rookie guard Saylor Poffenbarger, who finished her college career at Maryland, has signed a seven-day contract with the Phoenix Mercury. DNR Art Dept.