A New Era Begins: Phoenix Mercury Rebuilds After Taurasi and Griner

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

For the first time in over two decades, the Phoenix Mercury will enter a WNBA season without franchise icon Diana Taurasi and long-time center Brittney Griner. Taurasi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in women’s basketball history, announced her retirement earlier this year after a legendary 20-year career. Griner, a dominant presence since 2012, left Phoenix in free agency to sign with the Atlanta Dream. Their absence marks a dramatic shift for a franchise that has long been synonymous with excellence and star power. Taurasi's list of accomplishments is staggering. Selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft, she led the Mercury to three championships and amassed six Olympic gold medals over two decades. Griner, meanwhile, brought unmatched size and athleticism, helping the Mercury secure their most recent title in 2014. Her move to Atlanta on a one-year deal signals her desire for a longer-term contract under the league's next collective bargaining agreement. With the departure of two generational talents, Mercury General Manager Nick U’Ren has moved quickly to usher in a new core. The team added forward Alyssa Thomas through a trade with the Connecticut Sun.

Known for her toughness and versatility, Thomas is the WNBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles and brings a wealth of playoff experience. “It’s just going to be fun to be part of an organization that’s known for winning,” Thomas said during the team’s media day. Phoenix also landed Satou Sabally via a three-team trade. The 6-foot-4 forward was a First Team All-WNBA selection in 2023 and averaged 17.9 points per game last season despite a shoulder injury limiting her to just 15 games. She emphasized her resilience, saying, “Pushing through uncomfortable times really makes us stronger”. Rounding out Phoenix’s new “Big Three” is Kahleah Copper, who has quickly established herself as a leader and scoring threat. A former WNBA champion with the Chicago Sky, Copper averaged 21.1 points per game last season, third-best in the league. Coach Nate Tibbetts praised her leadership: “You’re really going to see her... take pride. You’ve seen it this whole offseason”

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The Mercury now face a daunting but exciting challenge: proving that their championship pedigree can continue without the pillars who built it. With a refreshed roster, new leadership, and a hunger to compete, the franchise is not rebuilding so much as reimagining itself. Whether the new trio can carry the mantle of greatness left by Taurasi and Griner remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — a new era in Phoenix has officially begun.