What If Diana Taurasi Retires, and the Phoenix Mercury Become a Rebuild Team Overnight?

What If Diana Taurasi Hangs Up Her Jersey and the Phoenix Mercury Hit Reset Mode?

The WNBA has seen its fair share of dynastic players, but few are as good as Diana Taurasi. The legend—whom some argue is the greatest woman to ever play the game—is undoubtedly one of the league’s most iconic figures. As the last guard to win an MVP in the WNBA, Taurasi is a living legend who has spent her entire career with the Phoenix Mercury.

Taurasi’s impact on the franchise, the league, and basketball culture as a whole is immeasurable. But let’s entertain a thought experiment: What happens if Taurasi decides to retire after this season? She’s already hinted that this season might be her “last dance,” so how would the Mercury respond, and what shifts would we see within the franchise?

While it may sound extreme, the idea of the Phoenix Mercury going from a playoff team to a rebuilding team overnight is not as far-fetched as it seems.

The End of an Era: Taurasi’s Legacy and What’s Left Behind

Diana Taurasi is the face of the Mercury, and she’s as accomplished as any player in WNBA history. Her résumé is unmatched, with 3 WNBA championships (2007, 2009, 2014), 2 WNBA Finals MVPs (2009, 2014), a WNBA MVP (2009), and 11 All-Star appearances (2005-2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2024), along with 10 All-WNBA First Team selections (2004, 2006-2011, 2013, 2014, 2018). She’s been the heartbeat of the Mercury for nearly two decades, leading them to three championships and becoming the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer. The Taurasi Era has defined Phoenix’s success, but if she retires, it marks the end of one of the greatest runs in women’s basketball history.

If Taurasi does hang it up, it would signal the end of the Phoenix Mercury as we know it. Brittney Griner, still an elite talent, would lose her longtime partner on the court, while Kahleah Copper would be left to shoulder the load without Taurasi’s iconic leadership. Copper, a Finals MVP in her own right, brings her own energy, but Taurasi has always been the one to fire up the team and set the tone.

The leadership void Taurasi would leave behind is nearly impossible to fill, and it raises some serious questions about who’s stepping up as the next face of the Mercury. Kahleah Copper, at 30, seems like a logical choice, but she’s a free agent this year—same with Brittney Griner, who’s 34. So, where does that leave Phoenix? Do they commit to these two veterans long-term, or are they ready to squeeze one last run out of this core before shifting to a younger roster? The minute Taurasi retires, this team could be headed straight for a rebuild.

If the Mercury haven’t already, they need to start preparing for life after Taurasi—this is not a situation where you want to be pivoting last minute. The immediate aftermath would probably bring a major roster shakeup, and while Griner might take on a bigger role, she’s always been a quieter leader. And the real question is, at 34, would she want to lead a team through a transition period?

Copper could also step up as the primary scorer, but that’s assuming Phoenix can convince her to stay after Taurasi’s retirement. She’ll need a strong reason to commit if the team is on the brink of a rebuild. The Mercury are at a crossroads, and every choice they make from here on will define their future in this post-Taurasi era.

Draft Strategy: Time to Get Younger, Faster, and a Little More Flexible

The Phoenix Mercury need to prioritize a youth movement and start laying the groundwork for their future. The best way forward? Focusing on the WNBA Draft to bring in top-tier talent, especially at the guard and forward positions.

Here are a few promising prospects they should consider:

1. Janiah Barker

• Position: Big wing, UCLA (Texas A&M transfer)

• Age: 21

• Height: 6’4

• Wingspan: 6’7

• Offensive Style: Shot-creator

• Defensive Style: Mobile big

• Similar to: A versatile blend of NaLyssa Smith and Pascal Siakam

• Strengths: Barker’s athleticism and defensive versatility make her one of the most dynamic defensive bigs in college. She’s comfortable guarding all positions, with fluid movement and verticality, and she’s a polished mid-range isolation scorer. She’s also shown promise as a shooter, able to hit jumpers off screens with ease.

2. Saniya Rivers

• Position: Wing, NC State

• Age: 22

• Height: 6’1

• Wingspan: 6’5

• Offensive Style: Secondary ball-handler

• Defensive Style: High-impact perimeter defender

• Similar to: Brittney Sykes, Bilal Coulibaly

• Strengths: Rivers is a phenomenal athlete and one of the best non-big defenders in the country. She has excellent ball-handling skills, court vision, and speed that makes her tough to stop. She’s a solid rebounder and can defend on the perimeter and at the rim, showing versatility and high defensive impact.

3. Sonia Citron

• Position: Wing, Notre Dame

• Age: 21

• Height: 6’1

• Offensive Style: Utility wing

• Defensive Style: Wing stopper

• Similar to: A playmaking Danny Green

• Strengths: Citron is strong and vertical defensively, with a dependable catch-and-shoot three-point shot. She’s a smart, adaptable defender with great court awareness and solid passing ability for a wing. She’s excellent in isolation and in handling drives, making her a valuable multi-positional defender.

Each of these players could be pivotal for Phoenix as they build a new foundation.

Could the Mercury Surprise Us? Rebuild or Reload?

Here’s where the “unconventional” twist comes in—what if the Mercury don’t go for a full rebuild but instead aim to reload for another championship run?

While it’s easy to picture the team bottoming out and entering rebuild mode, the Mercury’s front office might opt for what many teams across sports try: retooling around their remaining stars. Trading for a high-impact player or signing a big-name free agent may seem far-fetched, but there’s always room for an unexpected move.

If Phoenix chooses to reload, the offseason could become very interesting. The Mercury might make a splash in free agency, finding a player who complements Griner’s dominance and provides a strong foundation for a new era. With the right additions, they could return to contention sooner than expected, though a Taurasi-less team would undoubtedly feel different.

The Phoenix Mercury’s Future: Uncertainty and Potential

Ultimately, imagining the Phoenix Mercury without Diana Taurasi highlights the uncertainty her departure would bring. A new era would begin, one that might set the team back a few years as they rebuild or see them quickly reload and regain competitive form.

Taurasi’s exit could spark a franchise-wide transformation. Whether they rebuild or reload, the choices they make will shape the future of this team for years to come.

In the meantime, Phoenix faces a critical question: How do you replace a legend?