The Atlanta Dream’s addition of DeWanna Bonner could be one of the biggest moves of their season. Atlanta was essentially handed a golden egg with the opportunity to add the future Hall of Famer ahead of the playoffs.
DeWanna Bonner is coming to Atlanta.
There is no underestimating how much this addition could help the Dream heading into the playoffs. Bonner brings size, shooting, defensive versatility and an incredible amount of postseason experience to a roster that was already capable of making a deep playoff run.
There’s just one problem.
Someone has to make room for her.
Atlanta’s roster is already crowded, meaning the Dream will have some decisions to make before Bonner can officially settle into her role for the remainder of the season.
And when you start looking at the roster, there are a couple of players who stand out as potential candidates.
Here’s how I see it.
1. Sika Koné — The Most Logical Candidate
If I’m trying to predict what Atlanta actually does, Sika Koné is probably the name I’d watch first.
And that’s difficult because I actually like what Koné brings to this team.
She has provided energy, physicality and frontcourt depth at different points this season. She’s capable of rebounding, defending and giving Karl Smesko another physical option off the bench.
But we’re getting to the point of the season where Atlanta has to stop thinking about what players could provide and start thinking about who is actually going to be part of the playoff rotation.
That’s where Koné’s situation becomes complicated.
Her role has already become extremely limited. In Atlanta’s recent matchup against Indiana, for example, Koné didn’t play despite being available.
Now you’re adding DeWanna Bonner.
From a positional standpoint, it almost feels like a direct upgrade.
Bonner can give Atlanta minutes at the forward position while providing something the Dream desperately need: floor spacing from a bigger wing.
She also gives Atlanta significantly more playoff experience.
So if the Dream are looking for the simplest possible move, Koné probably makes the most sense.
You essentially replace a depth forward who may not play significant postseason minutes with one of the most experienced playoff players in WNBA history.
That’s difficult to argue against.
2. Aaliyah Nye — The Numbers Game Could Catch Up With Her
The second name I’d watch is Aaliyah Nye.
This would have less to do with Nye’s talent and much more to do with opportunity.
Nye joined Atlanta during the season and has some really intriguing tools. She has size on the perimeter, shooting potential and enough defensive ability to eventually become a useful WNBA player.
The problem is that she hasn’t really had an opportunity to showcase it.
Her minutes have been extremely limited.
Against Indiana recently, Nye played just 1:37.
And we’re now entering the portion of the season where rotations usually get even shorter.
That’s why you have to ask the question:
Where are the minutes going to come from?
Atlanta already has Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray occupying major wing minutes.
Isobel Borlase has earned a significant role.
Te-Hina Paopao remains part of the guard rotation.
And now you’re adding Bonner.
It’s difficult to imagine Nye suddenly receiving meaningful playoff minutes unless injuries completely change the rotation.
That makes her vulnerable.
Would Atlanta potentially be giving up on a young player with upside?
Absolutely.
But championship contenders occasionally have to make decisions like that.
Atlanta isn’t building solely for 2028 right now.
They’re trying to win a championship in 2026.
And Bonner gives them a much better chance of doing that.
3. Could Brionna Jones’ Injury Create Another Avenue?
This is the most complicated possibility.
Brionna Jones recently suffered another leg injury and has been unavailable for Atlanta. Reports have indicated there isn’t currently a clear timetable for her return.
First, let me make something very clear:
I’m not saying Brionna Jones should be cut.
Absolutely not.
If Bri can return for the playoffs, the Dream obviously want her available.
But depending on the severity and expected duration of her injury, Atlanta could explore whether the WNBA’s injury-related roster exceptions provide any flexibility.
The league does have hardship mechanisms that can allow teams to add replacement players under specific circumstances involving unavailable players, but those exceptions have eligibility requirements and require league approval. They aren’t simply an injured-list transaction that automatically creates another permanent roster spot.
That’s why Jones’ medical outlook becomes so important.
If Atlanta believes she can return for the postseason, then you obviously keep preparing for her return.
But if the organization eventually receives information suggesting her season is over, it would make sense for the front office to investigate every roster-relief mechanism available under league rules.
Because the worst-case scenario would be losing Jones for the remainder of the year and failing to maximize the roster spot situation while preparing for a championship run.
Why I Think Sika Koné Is Ultimately the Move
If I had to predict what happens today, my guess would be Sika Koné.
It’s simply the cleanest basketball decision.
Koné and Bonner can occupy some of the same positional minutes.
Koné’s role has already diminished.
And Bonner gives Atlanta significantly more of what it needs for postseason basketball.
You’re essentially going from a depth forward to a proven veteran who can:
- Stretch the floor
- Defend multiple positions
- Rebound
- Play alongside Angel Reese
- Play alongside Brionna Jones
- Give Atlanta another veteran scorer
- Handle high-pressure playoff situations
That’s an enormous upgrade for a team trying to win right now.
Don’t Underestimate the Difficulty of This Decision
Here’s the unfortunate part about building a deep roster:
Eventually, good players get squeezed out.
That’s where Atlanta is now.
I don’t think Sika Koné is a bad player.
I don’t think Aaliyah Nye is a bad player.
Quite the opposite.
Both have qualities that could help WNBA teams.
But Atlanta’s expectations have changed.
This isn’t about figuring out who deserves the 12th or 13th roster spot on a developing team.
The Dream are trying to determine which players give them the best chance of winning playoff games.
And if DeWanna Bonner wants to join your championship run?
You make room.
Final Thoughts
The DeWanna Bonner addition is an incredible opportunity for the Atlanta Dream.
But opportunities like this force organizations to make difficult decisions.
If Atlanta needs to create room through a roster move, Sika Koné would be my most likely candidate, simply because Bonner can directly replace many of the minutes and responsibilities Koné would potentially have in the postseason.
Aaliyah Nye would be my second candidate because her path toward meaningful minutes has become incredibly difficult on such a deep roster.
And then there’s the Brionna Jones situation, which is less about moving on from Jones and more about whether the severity of her injury could eventually give Atlanta access to some form of league-approved roster relief.
Regardless of how the Dream accomplish it, the goal should be obvious.
Get DeWanna Bonner on this roster.
Atlanta has spent the entire season building toward a championship run.
You don’t get many opportunities to add a player of Bonner’s experience and versatility this late in the year.
Someone may unfortunately lose their spot.
But if Bonner helps Atlanta make a run at its first WNBA championship?
That’s a difficult decision the Dream have to be willing to make.
