The Phoenix Mercury have made an interesting roster move by signing Celeste Taylor to a seven-day contract just before their game against the Indiana Fever, a team that had recently waived her. Typically, such back-end roster adjustments don’t attract much attention, but this one has sparked considerable discussion. The timing is particularly noteworthy as it comes just before the Mercury and Fever are set to face off again, only hours after Taylor’s signing was announced.
Taylor’s release from the Fever raised eyebrows, especially among Indiana’s fans who were disappointed to see her go. Taylor, known for her defensive prowess, was a standout player at Ohio State, where she was a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and earned the title of Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. These accolades, combined with her being the 15th overall pick in the WNBA Draft by Indiana, made her departure from the Fever surprising to many.
However, Taylor’s time with the Fever was brief and underwhelming. She logged just 16 minutes of play over the season, during which she scored a mere 3 points. Despite her potential, she wasn’t given much opportunity to shine on the court, which likely contributed to the Fever’s decision to part ways with her. In her place, the Fever brought in Damiris Dantas,
who has already begun to make an impact. In a notable win against the New York Liberty, Dantas contributed 7 points in just 7 minutes, a performance that underscored her value to the team.
For Taylor, this new opportunity with the Mercury could be a turning point. The Mercury have announced that she will be available for their upcoming game against Indiana, offering her a chance to showcase the skills that made her a first-round pick in the WNBA Draft.
This game could serve as a proving ground for Taylor, allowing her to demonstrate what she can bring to a team when given the opportunity.
The situation highlights the often unpredictable nature of professional sports, where players can quickly go from being a valued draft pick to searching for a new team. For the Mercury, bringing in Taylor represents a low-risk move that could pay off if she performs well. Meanwhile,
for the Fever, the decision to release Taylor and bring in Dantas appears to be a strategic choice that has already shown some positive results. As the two teams prepare to meet again, all eyes will be on Taylor to see if she can make the most of this second chance.
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