Hop skip and jump, this is how the season has been for the WNBA rookie Celeste Taylor. Drafted as the 15th overall pick, Taylor was first selected by the Indiana Fever, who waived her after only 5 games. Through those 5 games, Taylor got very little time before she could fully deploy her skills on the court. Thereafter, she went on to play 4 games on a 7-day contract with the Phoenix Mercury before she had a short stint with the Connecticut Sun.

But then she came back to the Mercury and signed 2 more 7-day contracts with the last one expiring just hours after Phoenix lost 90-77 to the Washington Mystics on September 5th. What did the Mercury do after that? They went ahead and signed her for the rest-of- the season, ending her time of uncertainties as a rookie.

Celeste Taylor’s contract with the Phoenix Mercury

Going around the WNBA solar system, Celeste Taylor has finally found her home in Phoenix. Having played most of her games with the team, the 5-foot-11 guard has enjoyed success in Phoenix averaging 13.2 minutes alongside 2.7 points, 0.9 rebounds, and an assist per game.

After she completed her first 7-day contract with the Mercury, Taylor signed a seven-day deal with the Sun. Mercury vet, Natasha Cloud, felt an empty space not having Taylor present on the bench. “Even in the game the other night, I was sitting on the bench and I’m like, ‘Man, we are missing Celeste, we are missing her on the defensive end,” Cloud recalled.

Now, talking specifics, a player can sign three seven-day deals with one team during the season. And it is usual for rookies to have an odd first season in the league. They might get drafted by one team, attend training camp for another, and sign a short-term contract with the third, just like Taylor.

As for how much she is earning, per herhoopstats.com, Taylor has been making $13, 338 under the 7-day contract. As for her rest-of-season contract details, the figures are yet to be disclosed. Now, looking at her path so far, things might feel a little confusing.

Rookie doing the dance

After she was drafted, Celeste Taylor signed a 4-year contract with the Indiana Fever worth $297,045 that included an average annual salary of $74, 261 and a base salary of $67, 249. Then she got waived by the team in late June after playing 5 games. She signed a 7-day contract with the Mercury in mid-July and played 4 games. She was then released by the team after a month.

The next day, Taylor signed another 7-day contract with the Connecticut Sun and played one game against Dallas, scoring 2 points in 11 minutes on the floor. Switching lanes again, she signed her second 7-day contract with the Phoenix Mercury on August 23 through which she played against Atlanta, where she scored a career-high 9 points with 4-of-5 field goal and 1-of-2 3-point shooting.

Following the second, Taylor and Mercury agreed to a 3rd 7-day contract when the fans could see Taylor in better action scoring 6 points, a rebound, 3 assists, and a steal against Las Vegas. Hence, Taylor has finally found her calling with the Mercury where she is getting the opportunity to expand her game, and who knows, with time, this deal can do wonders for both Taylor and the Mercury as they move forward together towards the playoffs.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger