Roster speculation rises as Mercury prepare for the offseason

General manager Nick U’Ren has said he plans to build around forward Alyssa Thomas, but hasn’t thought about how to yet.

“[Thomas] deserves all the credit for the season she had,” U’Ren said, according to Desert Wave Media. “And now, it’s our job to kind of figure out: Do we put that as much on her shoulders again? Do we try to take some off her plate? That’s kind of yet to be decided.”

Phoenix began its rebuild after Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner departed the team earlier this year. While many analysts doubted the new-look Mercury would make the postseason, the team proved them wrong.

However, during the Finals, Phoenix began to lose its defensive identity and its bench struggled against the Las Vegas Aces. While this wasn’t a major issue in the past, the mismatches were too much to overcome as Phoenix allowed an average of 91.8 points per game in the championship series.

While U’Ren didn’t specifically say this would influence his offseason decisions, it does leave a harrowing mark that the Mercury will likely aim to avoid in the future.

The Athletic spotlighted three free agents that could make an immediate impact for Phoenix: Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams and Azurá Stevens. Each player brings a unique skill set and strengths that could bolster the Mercury’s roster and help finish the story they started last season.

McBride’s athleticism allows her to guard the best on any team and can go on her own run in a hurry. Williams is a three-point and mid-range shooter who has contributed during key runs, particularly with her playmaking and assists. Stevens is a defensive power that Phoenix could use as a defensive center.

Mercury fans are eager to see the team make another run to the WNBA Finals. After coming so close, the expectation is to build off what was created in 2025. Whether Phoenix leans on overseas rookies or seasoned veterans with playoff experience remains to be seen. McBride, Williams and Stevens have all played for highly competitive teams in the past, and it wouldn’t be far-fetched for U’Ren to pursue them.

After all, bringing in new players hasn’t stopped the Mercury from finding success in the past. It only helps fuel them to be better.

While The Athletic’s list is speculative, it highlights talent that could be a strong fit in Phoenix. With U’Ren’s stated vision to build around Thomas, there’s a good chance one of these highly valued veterans could make her way to the desert next season.