This WNBA season is going to be an absolute shuffle-fest. With bigs in free agency, and stars moving left and right, it was bound to be epic. First, we got Kelsey Plum heading to the Sparks and Jewell Loyd joining the Aces, and now, Brittney Griner is heading to the Atlanta Dream. And she looks quite happy as she confirms the news along with her new teammates. 

But honestly, Griner leaving Phoenix wasn’t exactly on anyone’s bingo card. She’s spent all 11 seasons with the Mercury, always re-signing, always happy. This time, though, she decided to test free agency, and here we are. Losing their 2x WNBA All-Star, who put up 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game last season, is a major hit for Phoenix, especially if Diana Taurasi calls it a career.

That’s two of their top three scorers gone, leaving Kahleah Copper to carry the load. For Atlanta, though? This is huge. They desperately needed size, and now they’ve got a 6’7 star big to pair with Rhyne Howard. 

Meanwhile, the baller herself looks quite excited about her new journey. Right after the move hit the Internet she broke her silence and in style. From a boat with her new teammates Allisha Gray, Jordin Canada, and Howard, Griner confirmed the news, saying, “I need to introduce my new teammates because I’ll be joining the Atlanta Dream.”

In the video, Griner opened up about her free agency experience. “Free agency has been everything I wanted it to be. I was able to find where I wanted to go,” she shared. She revealed that her decision was based on the team, the players, and her family.

The star also admitted that it was a “hard decision” but it feels like a “rebrand.” Captioning the announcement with “New City. New Journey. New Series,” the center made it clear she’s ready for her next big adventure.

At the same time, the Phoenix Mercury is already scrambling to fill the void, reportedly eyeing two-time WNBA All-Star Satou Sabally. If they land them, maybe, just maybe, losing Griner won’t sting as much. But for now, the Dream, a team that won just 15 games last season, must be thrilled.

Could Brittney Griner’s former be the new home for Sabally?

So, Satou Sabally made it crystal clear that she’s gearing up for a new team in the 2025 WNBA season. And this meeting does sound interesting. With Phoenix having some serious cap space, it’s starting to make a lot of sense.

Being a multiple-time All-Star and being named the 2023 Most Improved Player, it’s no surprise the Dallas Wings star has drawn interest from contenders, with the New York Liberty and Indiana Fever also in the mix. But here’s where it gets interesting.

Because it’s not all about the roster, Phoenix has some serious perks that are hard to ignore. The team’s owner, Mat Ishbia, has been all in on raising the standard for both his NBA and WNBA teams. This has resulted in a shiny new $100 million practice facility for the Mercury. Plus, they play in front of the X-factor—the fanbase they proudly call the best in the league. 

That’s definitely got to count for something.

Not to forget the coaching staff. With Nate Tibbetts as head coach, Sabally could thrive in a variety of roles. He’d have her in pick-and-roll situations, down low in the post, and even as a screener or pick-and-pop threat. The potential for growth here is huge.

Plus, with Griner taking pay cuts, there’s more cash for Phoenix to throw at Wings’ 26-year-old star.  But all of this sets the stage for something bigger, could this be the start of a major roster overhaul in the coming few years? It sure seems like it with Taurasi’s retirement news also in the air. 

If Sabally does make her way to Arizona, we could be looking at a whole new vibe in almost all of the teams this season.