Sophie Cunningham on DeWanna Bonner's Fever exit: 'Be professional about it. Send a text to your teammates'
Cunningham arrived via trade, while Bonner signed a 1-year deal as a prized free agent acquisition.
Bonner's time with the Fever didn't last long. The 16-year pro played just nine games for Indiana before stepping away for "personal reasons" as the team sought to find a suitable trade partner after Bonner informed the franchise she wasn't a good fit with the team. Eventually, Indiana waived Bonner on June 25.
Bonner signed with the Mercury on July 7, returning to the franchise where she spent 10 seasons and won two championships. She also reunited with her fiancee, Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas.
When the Mercury visited Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 30, Bonner did not get a warm welcome. Fever fans booed her heavily when she checked into the game, coming off the bench for the Mercury. The boos continued as she nearly immediately drew a shooting foul, then stepped up to the line to take the free throws.
Some Mercury players seemed to be taken aback by the crowd's reaction to Bonner, with Kahleah Copper saying, "I just don't understand. Like, she's a legend. All the things she's done for the league — the disrespect, I just can't get down with it."
Speaking on her new "Show Me Something" podcast with West Wilson, Cunningham said any pro athlete should expect to get booed in that situation.
'Can I give you a scenario? I like DB. DB was one of my vets when I was in Phoenix and then we gathered here into Indiana. And I was kind of surprised she signed here in Indiana anyway, so we'll take her in a heartbeat. She's a Hall of Famer, she's a helluva basketball player, can score from anywhere on the court," Cunningham said. "She got to Indiana and she just wasn't really happy, and I want people to be happy , so that's why I'm kind of like neutral on this one, which everyone is surprised about. She's toward the end of her career, like she deserves her flowers, she deserves to be happy. But I also think that if you're going to leave, you're going to have to expect getting booed.'
Cunningham didn't have a problem with the fans booing Bonner. She did however have an issue with Bonner's lack of "professionalism" in the way she left Indiana.
'I'm still rooting for her. I want her to end her career and be happy, but I also think like, it's OK to be professional about it. Send a text to your teammates, send a text like, 'Hey, love you guys,' or you don't even have to say, 'Love you guys.' Say, 'Sorry this didn't work out, good luck…' There's a way to handle that, I think."
The Fever (16-12) travel to Phoenix to play Bonner and the Mercury on Thursday night.
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