Brittney Griner has announced her decision to sign with the Atlanta Dream, bringing an end to her 11-year career with the Phoenix Mercury.
In a video shared on Instagram Tuesday night, Griner revealed her move, with her agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, confirming to The Associated Press that the star center would sign a one-year contract with Atlanta.
“Free agency has been everything I wanted it to be, honestly. I was able to find where I wanted to go,” Griner said in the video. “Honestly, what led me to that decision ultimately was the team, the players. Also my family. I’m thrilled for this chapter.”
While WNBA free agents can’t officially sign until February 1, the 6-foot-9 Griner spent her entire career with Phoenix after being drafted first overall in 2013. Now 34, Griner chose to explore free agency for the first time this offseason, signing for just one year due to a new collective bargaining agreement set to take effect in 2026, which is expected to bring significant salary increases.
Griner was unable to play during the 2022 season after being detained in Russia for almost 10 months. Authorities claimed that a search of her luggage uncovered vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. She was eventually released in a prisoner exchange, where the U.S. freed infamous Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in return.
Griner averaged 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks last season with Phoenix. She ranks third on the WNBA’s all-time career blocks list, just 65 behind the leader, Margo Dydek.
She admitted that going through free agency was challenging.
“It was a tough decision since you’re leaving what you’ve known your whole career,” Griner said. “But there’s also an exciting aspect to it—this is a rebrand, and I get to show them something new.”
Griner’s signing makes her the biggest free-agent acquisition in Atlanta Dream history. She’ll join a talented roster featuring Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. This offseason, the Dream also made a coaching change, hiring Karl Smesko from Florida Gulf Coast. Griner, Howard, and Gray are currently playing in the new 3-on-3 league, Unrivaled.
The Atlanta Dream finished last season with a 15-25 record, making the playoffs for the second consecutive year. However, they were knocked out in the first round by the eventual WNBA champions, the New York Liberty.
Griner, a 10-time All-Star, also held talks with Dallas and Las Vegas before making her decision.
Phoenix has had a busy offseason. Earlier on Tuesday, the Mercury were reportedly close to finalizing a trade to acquire Alyssa Thomas from the Connecticut Sun, according to a source familiar with the deal. Additionally, it remains uncertain whether veteran Diana Taurasi will return to play or retire.