Mercury's Aging Stars Fight for One More WNBA Championship

(Photo : (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)) PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 03: Guard Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury reacts with guard Moriah Jefferson #8 and center Megan Gustafson #10 after scoring her 10,000th career point during the second half against the Atlanta Dream at Footprint Center on August 03, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement

Entering the 2024 WNBA season, the Phoenix Mercury will have a brand new vibe after an abysmal past season.

The Mercury won just a handful of games last year, finishing 9-31 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

Their poor play led to a head coaching change, with Vanessa Nygaard being replaced with NBA assistant coach Nate Tibbetts.

Now, the Mercury are retooling around its two stars, Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner, hoping to bring home one more WNBA Championship to Phoenix after a disappointing past season and a coaching change.

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Phoenix Mercury Offseason

This offseason, the Phoenix Mercury made some significant changes to be more competitive, bringing in a mixture of veterans and young players.

The Mercury re-signed future Hall of Famer and franchise cornerstone Brittney Griner and signed point guard Natasha Cloud, who spent eight years of her career with the Washington Mystics.

Cloud is one of the better point guards in the league, averaging 6.2 assists last season, along with being a proven defender with an All-Defense nod in 2019.

In a sign and trade with the Sun, Phoenix got another solid veteran in Rebecca Allen by sending Moriah Jefferson to Connecticut.

Another notable move was when the Mercury traded the No.3 overall pick to Chicago Sky to acquire Kahleah Copper.

Cooper is the former WNBA Finals MVP and a three-time All-Star who averaged 18.7 points per game in 2023. Hopefully, she will help keep the Phoenix Mercury in the mix at the top of the league.

Charisma Osborne and Jaz Shelley, the No. 25 and No.29 overall picks in the 2024 WNBA Draft, should also add some youthful energy to the team.

Now or Never in Phoenix

The question coming into the season is whether or not the Phoenix Mercury have enough talent to compete for a WNBA Championship.

Their acquisition of Cooper symbolizes that the Mercury are all in on winning now rather than later. However, with their two stars getting older, it may be harder than expected.

Diana Taurasi is turning 42 later this year and is inching closer to the end of her career, now entering year 20 for her in the WNBA.

Still, she remains solid statistically by averaging 16.0 points per game. However, it's expected that her on-the-court impact may start to decline given her age.

At 33 years old Griner is still one of their best players on the Mercury roster, but she is also getting older, exiting the prime of her career.

Despite their age, there are reasons to believe the Phoenix Mercury will be competitive next season.

Sophie Cunningham has been a staple for the Mercury and is still one of the best players on their team.

Kahleah Copper is a proven champion who could raise Phoenix's ceiling next season, and Natasha Cloud instantly boosts their backcourt with her defense and playmaking.