ATLANTA — Brittney Griner, the recently signed star of the Atlanta Dream, has revealed that her decision to join the team with a one-year contract goes beyond merely preparing for potential higher earnings under the upcoming collective bargaining agreement set to commence next year.
Griner’s long tenure with the Phoenix Mercury, where she played for 11 seasons, officially came to an end over the weekend when she agreed to sign with Atlanta. She will be teaming up with another sought-after addition, three-time All-Star Brionna Jones, forming a robust frontcourt for the Dream. This marks Griner’s first experience in free agency, and there are rising expectations for the team to capitalize on this significant roster overhaul.
During her introductory press conference with the Dream, Griner stated, “With the new CBA, many players signed one-year contracts. It’s not just about the money. I want to emphasize that it’s about much more than just finances. There are various critical aspects in the new CBA that players would want to be eligible for.” She further reiterated her commitment to any decision she makes.
Joining Griner shortly after, Jones expressed her enthusiasm for the culture and structure being developed in Atlanta, stating, “I wanted to be a part of what they are building here.”
The Dream had a disappointing 15-25 record last season and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, having not won a playoff game since their 2018 conference finals appearance. With Griner being a celebrated addition as a 10-time All-Star, there is a boost in optimism for the upcoming season.
Last season, Griner made a considerable impact by averaging 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game for Phoenix. She currently ranks third on the WNBA’s career blocks list, trailing the all-time leader Margo Dydek by 65 blocks.
Also present at the Tuesday news conference was new shooting guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, who joined Griner and Jones in showcasing their new team. Support from returning players such as Jordin Canada, Rhyne Howard, and Allisha Gray will also be crucial for the Dream’s success moving forward.
Now, General Manager Dan Padover faces the challenge of ensuring that Griner and the other newly acquired talents feel at home in Atlanta long-term. “That starts tomorrow,” Padover said. “It’s imperative for us to consistently demonstrate to our players why they should choose to stay here. Our main focus is to show them love and make them understand their value to the team so they’ll want to remain part of this community.”
In his first year as head coach, Karl Smesko acknowledged the high expectations from the team’s new acquisitions to deliver immediate results. “We have made it clear that our goal is to compete for a championship. We intend to bring skilled players onboard, and I believe we are on path to achieving that… This team has the potential to be truly exceptional, which is what we are aiming for,” Smesko commented.
Griner missed the entirety of the 2022 season due to her unexpected detention in Russia for nearly 10 months, where authorities found vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her luggage. She was released following a prisoner swap deal that included the notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout.
