Mystics star Delle Donne might take a break from basketball, multiple reports say
Washington Mystics star forward Elena Delle Donne, a two-time WNBA MVP, might step away from basketball for an undetermined period of time, according to multiple reports.
ESPN, citing anonymous sources, reported Wednesday that Delle Donne does not intend to sign the one-year supermax deal the Mystics have offered her.
Delle Donne, 34, had told the organization that she was unsure about her future in the hopes she would not interfere with the Mystics’ offseason plans. The team responded by placing the core designation on Delle Donne, rather than take a chance on losing her without compensation in free agency, ESPN reported.
The Washington Post also reported the development, citing a person with knowledge of Delle Donne's decision not to sign the team’s qualifying offer.
The core designation gave Delle Donne options to sign the one-year deal and play, agree to a sign-and-trade or not sign and miss the season. If she misses the season, the Mystics could give her the core designation again next year.
Delle Donne, who has undergone multiple back surgeries, was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 draft. She was league MVP in 2015 with Chicago and 2019 with Washington. She helped the Mystics win their only championship in 2019. She averaged 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists last season.
Off the court, Delle Donne is co-chair of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, an advisory body that exists to promote healthy eating and physical activity.
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