Brittney Griner plans to sign with Atlanta’s dream, a person familiar with the Associated Press said on Tuesday evening.
The person spoke under the cover of anonymity because no announcements had been made. WNBA free agents cannot sign contracts until February 1.
Griner has spent his entire 11 -year career with Phoenix since his writing No. 1 in 2013. The 9 -inch 6 -inch center has decided this offseason to test the free agency for the first time. Griner will sign a one -year contract because a new collective agreement with potentially massive salary increases should take effect in 2026.
Griner of 34 years missed the 2022 season when she was detained for almost 10 months in Russia after the authorities said that an excavation of her luggage revealed vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis. She was released in an exchange of prisoners When the United States has released the notorious Russian dealer Viktor Bout.
Griner has an average of 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks last season with Phoenix. She is third on the WNBA career block list, 65 behind leader Margo Dydek.
ESPN first pointed out the Griner agreement with the dream.
Griner becomes the signature of the most eminent free agent in the history of Atlanta, and she joins a talented team led by Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. The dream has made a change of coach this offseason, calling on Karl Pmesko from the Côte du Gulf de Florida. Griner, Howard and Gray play in the new League 3 against 3 unequaled this off -season.
The dream went 15-25 last season and made the playoffs for the second consecutive year. They were eliminated in the first round by the possible champion of the WNBA New York.
Griner, an All-Star 10 times, also had discussions with Dallas and Las Vegas.
It was an offseason of change for Phoenix. Earlier on Tuesday, the mercury finalized an agreement to Acquire Alyssa Thomas From Connecticut Sun, a person familiar with this job declared at the AP. It is not clear either if the veteran Diana Taurasi will play again or retire.
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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-mazing