DeWanna Bonner signing with Atlanta Dream for playoff run

DeWanna Bonner, a 17-year WNBA veteran, will sign with the Atlanta Dream for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs, according to the team.

Bonner’s contract will carry a prorated maximum salary, which would pay her approximately $116,000 through the end of the season. In corresponding moves, the Dream waived guards Aaliyah Nye and Jaylyn Sherrod.

The Dream, fourth in the league standings at 25-13, were already a serious playoff threat before adding Bonner. She will provide the team with much-needed depth and playoff experience as they look to win their first WNBA title.

Drafted fifth overall by the Phoenix Mercury in 2009, Bonner, 39, averaged 13.2 points and 6.8 rebounds in her playoff career. The two-time WNBA champion has missed the postseason just once and is set to make her 16th playoff appearance.

On Monday, Bonner agreed to a redemption with Phoenix Mercury after the team was eliminated from the playoffs. Mercury GM Nick U’Ren said the organization’s relationship with Bonner led to a deal to give her “an opportunity to chase a title in what could be her final postseason.”

Bonner cleared waivers Wednesday and can sign with the Dream as an unrestricted free agent.

The Dallas Wings, New York Liberty and Washington Mystics were the three other playoff teams with enough cap space to offer Bonner a commensurate max deal. The Dream have used seven different starting lineups this season, but their regular starting five of Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Naz Hillmon, Rhyne Howard and Angel Reese is not expected to change with Bonner’s addition.

While the Dream have limited cap space to sign Bonner, they currently have a league maximum of 12 players signed to standard contracts, meaning they have to give up one player to make room for Bonner.