Phoenix Mercury face critical offseason after disappointing season

The Phoenix Mercury face a critical offseason following a disappointing 16-28 season that saw them finish 12th in the WNBA. Despite high expectations after reaching the 2025 WNBA Finals, the team struggled to maintain competitiveness.

General manager Nick U’Ren acknowledged the team's failure to meet standards, stating, “Our fans deserve better, and certainly everybody in this building wants to put a better product on the floor than what we were able to do this year.”

A major focus for the franchise is the future of Kelsey Plum. Acquired at the trade deadline, the five-time All-Star is set to become an unrestricted free agent. The Mercury hold the unique advantage of being the only team able to offer her a supermax contract, making her decision a central component of the team's rebuilding efforts.