INDIANAPOLIS — DeWanna Bonner’s tenure with the Indiana Fever appears to be nearing an abrupt end. The veteran forward will miss her fifth consecutive game Tuesday when the Fever take on the surging Seattle Storm, continuing an extended absence that began on June 11. Officially, Bonner remains out due to “personal reasons,” but mounting reports suggest there may be more behind her absence than meets the eye.

According to Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports, Bonner has “no interest” in returning to the Fever. The five-time All-Star reportedly prefers a move—via trade or buyout—to either the Phoenix Mercury, where her fiancée Alyssa Thomas plays, or the Atlanta Dream.

Fever head coach Stephanie White remained tight-lipped about the situation when asked ahead of Tuesday’s game.

“I haven’t had a lot of conversations with her recently,” White said. “Really focused on the team we have right here.”

Bonner signed with Indiana this past offseason with expectations of bringing veteran leadership to a young roster led by rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. After starting three games, Bonner was moved to a bench role and had averaged 7.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in nine appearances this season.

Since her departure, Lexie Hull has stepped into the starting lineup and meshed quickly with Clark and newly acquired guard Sophie Cunningham. The trio has earned the nickname “Tres Leches,” a moniker that gained traction when Cunningham arrived to a recent road game in Las Vegas sporting the phrase on a custom outfit.

The Fever (5-11) enter Tuesday night’s matchup on a two-game skid, while the Storm have won six of their last seven and continue to climb the Western Conference standings.

Bonner’s Uncertain Future

If Bonner has indeed played her final game in a Fever uniform, it marks a surprisingly short stint for a player with 14 seasons of WNBA experience. She was brought in to stabilize a rebuilding franchise but may exit under the radar amid the emergence of Clark as the team’s new focal point.

Bonner’s potential departure raises broader questions for Indiana’s front office. Will they pursue a buyout or find a trade partner before the deadline? And what type of veteran leadership will the Fever seek to complement their young core moving forward?

One thing is clear: Bonner’s exit, if confirmed, signals the end of an experiment that never fully got off the ground.