Phoenix Mercury shared last Sunday that they signed Guard Haley Jones under a hardship agreement. Just a week later, they announced they’ve let her go, suggesting a key player is fit to come back from their injury.
Haley Jones has been let go twice this season
Jones was picked sixth overall in the 2023 WNBA draft by the Atlanta Dream, participating in all 40 games last year with averages of 3.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in about 17.8 minutes per game.
After being dropped by the Dream during training camp, she joined the Mercury, a team grappling with several key injuries. While with Phoenix, she played in four games, averaging 2.3 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist per outing.
Now, the former Stanford Guard finds herself once again as an unrestricted free agent.
Jones’ difficulties in securing a spot this season highlight the challenges of maintaining a position in the league. Initially, she was a rotation player, starting 30 of her first 80 career games, but she’s currently struggling to find a team.
Haley Jones provides a single sequence
Follow the scheme in & beinglearned below to protect the empty side PNR and ensure that Satou does not need help
She then grabs the rebound and cannot make an outlet pass. pic.twitter.com/asmsmjhwxw
– Stephen Pridgeon-Garner (@Stephenpg3) June 8, 2025
Phoenix Mercury is having a challenging start to the season
The team is sitting at 6-4 due to impressive performances from a trio of undrafted rookies.
Alyssa Thomas has missed half of the games due to calf issues. Kahleah Copper has yet to play this season after having knee surgery in the preseason. Additionally, rookie Megan McConnell faced a three to four-week recovery from a knee injury sustained in her debut, while forward Natasha Mac is coping with back problems.
Since Jones was signed under a hardship agreement, she had to be released when the team had 10 healthy players, in line with league regulations. Although the team hasn’t confirmed who’s back in action, indications are that both Thomas and Mac have returned, based on the recovery timelines of McConnell and Copper.
