The last major domino of the WNBA offseason has fallen, and it’s a shocker.
Elena Delle Donne is taking a break from basketball, according to multiple reports. It is unclear if or when the 33-year-old — who does not play overseas — will return to the league. Although Delle Donne is a free agent this summer after completing a four-year supermax contract in 2023, the Mystics cored her, thus retaining the exclusive right to negotiate a new contract. If Delle Donne wanted to play for a new team, it would have to occur via sign-and-trade.
Over the past week, reports emerged that Delle Donne was interested in playing for Phoenix — where her former Washington teammates Natasha Cloud and Kristi Toliver (now a coach) moved this offseason — or Las Vegas, the defending champions. The Mercury used up their remaining assets for a potential sign-and-trade in a deal to acquire Kahleah Copper. The Aces don’t have any young players of value and would be unwilling to trade any of their core; furthermore, they are without a first-round pick in the 2024 and 2025 drafts, leaving them with minimal draft capital. It stands to reason that the Mystics would be unwilling to deal away Delle Donne for such a return and instead hold on to her until a better offer becomes available.
Washington had…
