Former 7th overall pick agrees to buyout with Mercury

Banking on an inspired run, the Phoenix Mercury made it to the WNBA Finals last season. They, however, got swept by the Las Vegas Aces. Surely, they are motivated to seek redemption when the new season opens in May.

The Mercury selected Ines Pitarch-Granel of France (27th overall) and Eszter Ratkai of Hungary (42nd overall) in the WNBA Draft on Monday, adding international flavor to the squad.

Phoenix, meanwhile, parted ways with Kalani Brown, who agreed to a buyout, according to sports reporter Khristina Williams. Brown is now an unrestricted free agent.

The 29-year-old center played 29 games with the Mercury last season. She averaged 5.1 points and 4.0 rebounds in 12.8 minutes off the bench.

Phoenix was the fourth team of Brown, who was drafted as the No. 7 pick in 2019, after having stints with the Los Angeles Sparks, the Atlanta Dream, and the Dallas Wings.

Her best season was with the Wings in 2023, when she averaged 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 16.4 minutes.

At 6-foot-7, with a hefty physique, Brown could draw interest from teams looking to shore up their frontline. She is a workhorse in the paint and could provide instant energy.

Brown is the latest player to leave the Mercury after Satou Sabally, the team’s top scorer, signed a three-year deal with the New York Liberty in free agency.

Phoenix, meanwhile, lost Kitija Laksa and Lexi Held to the Toronto Tempo in the expansion draft.

The Mercury, who finished with a 27-17 record last season, will lean on Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, DeWanna Bonner, and Sami Whitcomb in the upcoming campaign.

The post Former 7th overall pick agrees to buyout with Mercury appeared first on ClutchPoints.