The Phoenix Mercury—once the powerhouse of the WNBA, now in the throes of a rebuild—may just have a beacon of hope for a spectacular comeback, courtesy of Sophie Cunningham. A gritty, sharpshooting fan favorite in Phoenix, Cunningham has set the rumor mill ablaze with her latest musings about teaming up with Iowa’s superstar and current Indiana Fever dynamo, Caitlin Clark.
So, could we actually see this dynamic duo tearing it up on the court? Or is it simply a well-timed fantasy from a franchise on the brink of major change?
Phoenix’s Shaky Future: The Taurasi-Griner Dilemma
First, a little Mercury drama: 2024 was, well, less than stellar for Phoenix. With Diana Taurasi potentially bidding adieu after nearly two decades as the Mercury’s North Star, and Brittney Griner stepping into free agency limbo, the future is as murky as the bottom of a smoothie at the end of a game night. What the Mercury needs now is energy—maybe even a miracle.
Enter Sophie Cunningham, an adaptable, no-nonsense player who, though her stats stumbled this season, has shown consistent fire and flashes of brilliance in past years. She’s the loyal vet sticking with Phoenix through 2025, a beacon of spunk, sass, and sarcasm—a perfect pairing with a rising star like Caitlin Clark, right?
Enter Caitlin Clark: WNBA’s New Wonder Woman
Now, Caitlin Clark isn’t just any WNBA player. She’s the court’s current queen of jaw-dropping buzzer-beaters, on-point trash talk, and eye-watering assists. Clark’s rise with the Indiana Fever has been nothing short of meteoric, transforming her into the sort of player fans either absolutely adore or absolutely hate—and Cunningham has made it abundantly clear where she stands.
In a recent appearance on The Travis Hearn Podcast, Cunningham was asked, “Why does everybody hate Caitlin Clark?” Cunningham laughed, the kind that makes you want to lean in and listen. “Dude, absolutely not! I think she’s a gem,” she said, putting any rumors to bed with a combination of admiration and let’s-be-real vibes. They first connected during the All-Star weekend, and Cunningham has been a fan ever since. “She’s lovely,” she gushed. “I mean, who wouldn’t want to play with someone lighting up the league like that?”
Cunningham isn’t one to mince words, and she’s clearly a fan of Clark’s fearless approach to the game, praising her composure under intense scrutiny and calling her a “gem” to boot. If that doesn’t sound like the prelude to a partnership made in WNBA heaven, what does?
Can We Actually See These Two on the Same Roster?
For Mercury fans, the mere mention of a Cunningham-Clark duo is like a winning lottery ticket. But, for now, it’s little more than a glimmer of hope. Clark’s contract with the Fever isn’t up yet, and Cunningham’s staying put in Phoenix, but stranger things have happened in the WNBA. The league thrives on player movement, last-minute trades, and superstar alliances that throw team power balances off the court.
Phoenix has seen its fair share of rising and falling stars, and with the WNBA’s shifting tides, there’s always room for a power shift. Cunningham wants the Mercury to turn around, and the buzz around her playful “I’d love to play with her” comments has fans speculating: could Caitlin Clark one day swap her blue and red for Mercury’s purple?
The Dream Duo: To Be or Not to Be?
Imagine it: Sophie’s grit and Clark’s electrifying playmaking. A team that could, just maybe, drag the Mercury back into contention with style, sass, and a few glorious three-pointers. As Cunningham eyes the offseason, she’s got her sights set on another shot at WNBA glory—and hey, if Clark comes along for the ride, Phoenix might just be unstoppable.
For now, though, it’s all speculation and what-ifs. Cunningham’s remarks have certainly added fuel to the offseason fire, giving fans something tantalizing to dream about in the weeks ahead. And who knows? Maybe Clark and Cunningham really are the next big thing.