Mercury have interesting decision to make with one roster spot still open

With the roster cut deadline set on Monday before the 2024 WNBA regular season begins Tuesday, the Phoenix Mercury have 11 out of 12 roster spots filled and will search for someone to fill the vacancy.

Phoenix waived seven players on Saturday as the deadline loomed, and cut the squad to 10 players. The Mercury did sign Liz Dixon to a training camp deal amidst the plethora of cuts, making it 11.

When looking at the current shape of the team, the Mercury could use some improvements as to depth on the roster to round it out.

Mercury’s Current Roster

G Diana Taurasi

G Sophie Cunningham

C Brittney Griner

F/G Kahleah Copper

G Natasha Cloud

F/G Rebecca Allen

G Sug Sutton

F Natasha Mack

F Morgan Bertsch

F Kiki Herbert Harrigan

F Liz Dixon

While Mack can play center when needed, Griner was the only “true” center in the Mercury’s frontcourt before the signing of Dixon. When Griner was out with a foot injury, Mack and now-waived Bella Murekatete were interchangeable during Phoenix’s 98-85 preseason defeat to the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday.

The question is whether Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren and the front office will indeed bring in another player after Dixon ahead of the roster cut deadline or stand pat and identify someone else at a later date. The WNBA trade deadline isn’t until August 20, so there is enough time to orchestrate a possible deal if need be.

At the time of reporting, none of the seven waived players have been claimed by other teams and are currently free agents. Those players are Bella Murekatete, Mya Hollingshed, Amy Atwell, Ariel Hearn, Charisma Osborne, Jaz Shelley and Christyn Williams. Shelley and Charisma were selected in the third round of this year’s WNBA Draft on April 15.

When news breaks around the Phoenix Mercury, Burn City Sports will keep you up-to-date.

Phoenix will open up the regular season on the road against the reigning WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces, on Tuesday at 7 p.m. PT.