Brittney Griner is set to join the Atlanta Dream, marking a significant transition from her 11-year tenure with the Phoenix Mercury.
Griner shared the news in a video on Instagram Tuesday evening, and her agent confirmed that the esteemed center will sign a one-year contract with Atlanta.
In her video announcement, Griner expressed satisfaction with her free agency journey, stating, “Free agency has been everything I wanted it to be, honestly. I was able to find where I wanted to go.
Honestly, what led me to that decision ultimately was the team, the players. Also my family. I’m thrilled for this chapter.”
Currently, WNBA free agents are unable to finalize contracts until February 1. At 6-foot-9, Griner has dedicated her entire professional career to Phoenix since being selected first overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft.
After 11 years, the 34-year-old chose to explore free agency for the first time this offseason, signing on for just one year due to an upcoming collective bargaining agreement that is expected to introduce significant salary increases in 2026.
Griner’s 2022 season was notably absent as she was detained in Russia for nearly ten months after authorities discovered vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. She was released as part of a prisoner swap that involved the U.S. letting go of notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Last season, Griner averaged impressive stats of 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while playing for Phoenix. She ranks third on the WNBA’s all-time blocks list, being just 65 blocks away from the record held by Margo Dydek.
Reflecting on her free agency experience, Griner admitted it wasn’t without its difficulties. “It was a hard decision since you’re leaving what you know. What I’ve known for my whole career,” she remarked. “There’s an exciting factor of like, OK, this is a rebrand now. I get to show them something different.”
With this move, Griner becomes the highest-profile free agent in Atlanta Dream’s history, joining a skilled roster that features Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. The Dream underwent a coaching shift in the offseason, hiring Karl Smesko from Florida Gulf Coast. Griner, together with Howard and Gray, is also participating in the new 3-on-3 league titled Unrivaled during the offseason.
In the previous season, the Dream concluded with a 15-25 record and reached the playoffs for the second consecutive year, though they were ousted in the first round by the New York team that ultimately won the championship.
Griner, who has achieved the status of a 10-time All-Star, also entertained offers from Dallas and Las Vegas during her free agency exploration.
Phoenix is currently in a state of transition, as news emerged earlier in the day about the Mercury finalizing a trade to acquire Alyssa Thomas from the Connecticut Sun, according to an insider. Additionally, there is uncertainty surrounding veteran player Diana Taurasi’s future, as it remains to be seen whether she will continue her career or choose to retire.
