Phoenix Mercury turning the page: Goodbye to Diana Taurasi, Hello to Alyssa Thomas

By Jeff Metcalfe

The Phoenix Mercury threw another welcome party Tuesday, this time for All-WNBA first team forward Alyssa Thomas.

Then they announced a retirement party was coming for WNBA career scoring leader Diana Taurasi.

The 42-year-old Taurasi made it official that 20 years in the league, all with the Mercury, was enough within an hour after a press conference introducing Thomas on Diana Taurasi court at the Mercury’s new $100-million practice facility.

Taurasi’s decision was not a surprise although the timing was.

“Mentally and physically, I’m just full,” Taurasi told Time magazine. “That’s probably the best way I can describe it. I’m full and I’m happy.”

Taurasi finishes with three WNBA titles and a record six Olympic gold medals as her pinnacle pro achievements. She scored 10,646 WNBA points, 2,950 more than current career No. 2 Tina Charles.

You can’t teach greatness. How lucky are we to have witnessed it for decades. pic.twitter.com/JBJEh1vxZt

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) February 25, 2025

“Diana Taurasi is one of the greatest competitors to ever play basketball on any stage,” WNBA Commission Cathy Engelbert said. “She has earned the unquestioned respect of players around the globe, delivered electrifying moments and captivated fans again and again.”

“She leaves a lasting legacy and the future of the WNBA is in a great position because of her impact that will be felt for generations to come.”

Suns and Mercury officials up to owner Mat Ishbia were effusive in their praise for Taurasi, who like Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, played entirely for one team (although Taurasi also had an extensive international career). Taurasi and Fitzgerald both came to Phoenix as 2004 high first-round draft picks (first and third overall).

“Diana is the greatest to have every played the game,” Ishbia said. “I’ve been a fan my entire life. Her name is synonymous with the Phoenix Mercury, and she will forever be part of our family.”

Mercury President Vince Kozar has been with the Mercury in various capacities for almost the entirely of Taurasi’s career.

“By virtue of her passion and play, she turned legions of girls and boys, men and women into lifelong Mercury fans,” Kozar said. “To wear one uniform her entire career is a testament to who she is and what she values.”

“We are where we are today – this organization, league and our game – because of Diana Taurasi.”

The hello/goodbye dramatics came three weeks after a welcoming for 2023 first-team forward Satou Sabally, who was on hand Tuesday just as 2024 All-Star addition Kahleah Copper attended when Sabally was introduced.

It was a vastly different party – for a 2-year-old’s birthday at Mohegan Sun Arena when the Connecticut Sun were preparing for the WNBA playoffs last September – that became the final straw for Thomas and others.

“It’s not normal,” Thomas said at the time. “Mohegan has to do better. We’re a professional team competing for the playoffs. To have to share your court with a 2-year-old’s birthday party is the ultimate disrespect.”

The Sun tried to retain Thomas by giving her core player designation in January, but she and other Sun players were determined to leave for better digs and a new start. Thomas has yet to win a WNBA title. The Mercury are seeking their first since 2014.

Copper, Thomas, & Sabally will work to add another trophy to the display 👀@Sports360AZ @kahleahcopper @athomas_25 @satou_sabally #WNBA #ValleyTogether pic.twitter.com/13ikevHCAo

— Eliav Gabay (@eliavgabay) February 25, 2025

“These kind of things (facilities) are an added bonus,” Thomas said. “Eleven years in Connecticut is unheard of, but for me it was time for a change just to be in a bigger market. I am getting older (33 in April) so having something like this where I can take care of my body is a big deal.”

The 6-2 Thomas will make a max salary ($215,000) this season, less than the super max ($249,244) she could have earned by staying with the Sun.

The Mercury traded to acquire Thomas, a necessity because of the core designation. They obtain the WNBA all-time leader in triple doubles (11 regular season, 4 playoffs) and a top-five finisher in MVP voting each of the last three seasons.

Sabally, Thomas and Copper are the Mercury’s new big three given the departure of Taurasi and Brittney Griner, who signed as a free agent with Atlanta after playing her first 11 seasons with the Mercury.

Sabally, with core designation by the Dallas Wings, also was acquired in a trade.

“It’s difficult to get these (deals) across the finish line,” Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren said during the Thomas press conference. He praised Thomas for willing her team to victories, her basketball intelligence and competitiveness.

“I could go on and on for days,” he said of Thomas’ playmaking. “I’m a sucker for high-level passing, especially bigs that can pass. It’s a rare skill and something that will set the floor for everybody. She’s one of the premier passers in our league.”

Thomas said she and her fiancé DeWanna Bonner, who were Connecticut teammates, made separate decisions about their new team. Bonner, who played for the Mercury from 2009-19, signed as a free agent with the Indiana Fever.

“She spoke so highly of this organization,” Thomas said. “I’ve gotten a crash course (on Phoenix and the Mercury). I’m excited to experience it.”

Thomas was in Phoenix for the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game when the Mercury debuted their new downtown facility. “It’s amazing what they’ve done here,” she said. “Not a lot of teams have this kind of investment. It speaks volumes for the organization.”