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“They Want to Do Something Different”: Why Brittney Griner Left the Phoenix Mercury for Atlanta Dream 1 Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) celebrates a basket against the Indiana Fever during the third quarter at Footprint Center in Phoenix on June 30, 2024.

'They Want to Do Something Different': Why Brittney Griner Left the Phoenix Mercury for Atlanta Dream

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Grant Afseth | Last updated May 16, 2025 9:20 PM ET

Brittney Griner’s departure from the Phoenix Mercury after 11 WNBA seasons sent shockwaves. The 10-time All-Star, 2014 champion, and longtime face of the franchise signed with the Atlanta Dream during the offseason, marking one of the league’s most surprising moves.

Her decision wasn’t part of a pre-planned exit. Griner told ESPN, it resulted from an unexpected conversation with Mercury management—one that made it clear the organization was heading in a different direction.

“I was doing everything as if I was going to still have that jersey on,” Griner said. “Then there was a meeting right before I left to go to Unrivaled and I found out like, ‘Oh, it looks like they want to do something different. This is news to me.’ I wish I would’ve known way sooner, but hey, life happens.”

When asked whether a return was still on the table, Griner said the message she received helped clarify her next move.

“Basically was told that I don’t know what your future holds,” Griner said. “After I heard that, it became my decision. Because I want to be somewhere where they know they want me, where they believe in me and my game.”

A Philosophical Shift for Phoenix Mercury

Griner’s exit came as Phoenix restructured its roster and system under new head coach Nate Tibbetts. The Mercury added All-WNBA forwards Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally, two versatile playmakers who fit a modern, perimeter-oriented “five-out” offensive scheme.

It’s a style that values spacing and ball movement, less ideal for a traditional back-to-the-basket center like Griner.

With the Mercury building around Thomas as a facilitating forward and Sabally as a dynamic scoring threat, Griner found herself without a defined role. Her exit—combined with Diana Taurasi’s retirement—signals a full transition into a new era for the franchise.

Embracing a New Challenge with Atlanta Dream

“They Want to Do Something Different”: Why Brittney Griner Left the Phoenix Mercury for Atlanta Dream 2 May 10, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner (42) against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena @ College Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Initially caught off guard, Griner has embraced the change and called her move to Atlanta “exactly what I needed.”

“You get comfortable, and sometimes you don’t want to get out of that bubble,” she said. “But it’s like the one thing that you definitely need. Sometimes life will push you out of that bubble, sometimes, and I’m just glad that I finally did it. I’m glad I did it and came here.”

Griner was drawn to Atlanta by its culture, roster depth, and the opportunity to play closer to family. She joins a rising Dream squad led by Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, where she’s expected to provide elite interior scoring, rebounding, and rim protection. Her career 56.2% field goal percentage should help address Atlanta’s efficiency issues from last season.

She also has her eyes on a bigger stage, hoping to return to the Olympics in 2028. But for now, she focuses on helping Atlanta take the next step.

“I want to be somewhere where they know they want me, where they believe in me and my game.”

Griner leaves Phoenix as a franchise icon—second all-time in scoring and first in rebounds and blocks. Her departure wasn’t by choice, but it may have opened the door to a resurgence elsewhere. The move marks the start of something new for both the Mercury and Dream.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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