How the Phoenix Mercury Plan to Replace Satou Sabally’s Production.

The Phoenix Mercury will rely on a collective effort to make up for the departure of forward Satou Sabally, according to general manager Nick U’Ren. Sabally, a three-time WNBA All-Star and the team’s leading scorer last season, left Phoenix in free agency after one year with the franchise and signed with the New York Liberty. Despite losing a key offensive contributor, the Mercury retained much of their core roster from last season’s run to the WNBA Finals. Returning players include Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, Monique Akoa Makani, Sami Whitcomb, and DeWanna Bonner. U’Ren emphasized that the organization will not attempt to directly replace Sabally’s statistical production with a single player, but instead depend on depth, continuity, and shared responsibility. U’Ren noted that this offseason was unusually compressed due to league scheduling changes, which required rapid decision-making across teams. He avoided detailing why Sabally was not retained or designated under the core player system, instead pointing to the difficulty of making personnel decisions within a shortened timeline. Sabally averaged 16.3 points during the regular season and increased her output to 19 points per game in the playoffs, helping lead Phoenix to the WNBA Finals before suffering a concussion that ended her postseason early. Her absence leaves a notable scoring gap, but U’Ren expressed confidence that the team’s returning players and new additions will collectively absorb her role.

Phoenix enters the upcoming season with greater roster stability than the previous year, returning nine players and adding international talent, including French forwards Valériane Ayayi and Noémie Brochant, along with draft-and-stash prospects Ines Pitarch-Granel and Eszter Ratkai. The team will also evaluate several training camp invitees competing for limited roster spots. With over 25 players currently in camp, only 12 roster positions and two developmental slots are available, making competition intense. U’Ren stated that opportunities remain open for players to earn a place on the final roster. He also praised the league’s new collective bargaining agreement, highlighting improved salaries and conditions for players, and described the moment as a significant step forward for the WNBA.