Two-time MVP Elena Delle Donne, one of the best free agents left available, is stepping away from basketball, according to Ramona Shelburne. It’s unclear when or if Delle Donne, who has dealt with serious and repeated injury problems in recent years, will return to the game.
Delle Donne has been with the Washington Mystics since 2017, but told the team early in the offseason that she was unsure about her future. Even so, the Mystics used the core designation on Delle Donne, which gave them exclusive negotiating rights with the superstar forward.
The core designation also comes with an automatic one-year supermax offer, though the team and player can work on a longer deal or a sign-and-trade. If Delle Donne wants to come back at some point, she’ll have to sign with the Mystics or ask the team to trade her. Either way, Washington won’t be left empty-handed. Should Delle Donne sit out the entire 2024 season, the Mystics could place the core designation on her again.
Delle Donne led the Mystics to the first title in…
