Phoenix Mercury’s Offseason Changes and Current Success

This offseason has been noteworthy for the Phoenix Mercury. They’ve brought back All-Star Curly Copper, adding to a promising core in the Western Conference.

However, it’s important to point out that the roster has 12 players, not just three. Phoenix lacks proven role players to support Savary and Thomas.

Things got trickier when they realized they also won’t have a pick in the 2025 WNBA draft.

On top of that, Copper has missed the entire season so far due to arthroscopic knee surgery from the spring, and Thomas has been sidelined recently because of calf issues.

One could naturally expect the Mercury to struggle with such a lack of depth and serious injuries. Yet, surprisingly, the team is off to a solid start with a 6-3 record.

Undrafted Rookies Fuel Mercury’s Success

The performance of four undrafted rookies—Monique Kuakoa Macan, Lexi, Kitty Jaraksa, and Kathryn West Beld—has significantly boosted the Mercury’s season.

Westbeld and Akoa Makani have been starters for every game this season. Westbeld, a 29-year-old guard with international experience, averages 7.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. She was particularly impressive on Sunday, scoring 15 points on 5-10 shooting, leading a depleted Phoenix team to victory over the Sparks.

Akoa Makani, a 24-year-old rookie from Cameroon, contributes 8.4 points, 2.7 assists, and one steal per game. She’s reached double digits in scoring five times this season, solidifying her role as a key player on both ends of the court.

Next is Lexi Hold, the Mercury’s third-highest scorer with 8.9 points per game, plus 1.4 assists and 1.7 steals. After playing internationally following her time at DePaul, she’s been coming off the bench but is starting to find her rhythm. In a recent game against the Minnesota Lynx, she scored 16 points, followed by an impressive 24 points against the Golden State Valkyries.

With Thomas out, Kitija Laksa has taken a spot in the starting lineup, averaging 8.5 points per game. Her standout performance came against the Chicago Sky, where she scored 18 points on 6-9 shooting.

Beyond these four, the Mercury also signed a couple of undrafted rookies who haven’t made a big impact yet: guard Me Gam McConnell, who debuted in the WNBA before suffering a knee injury, and center Murujanathu Musa, averaging 10.4 minutes over five games.

It’s uncommon to see so many undrafted rookies on one roster, but the Mercury have managed to make it work. Even without two of their top players for much of the season, they’ve achieved the fourth-best record in the league, tying with the Aces.

One has to wonder, did Phoenix really focus on scouting abroad this offseason?

Has head coach Nate Tibbett implemented a system conducive to helping these players thrive?

Whatever the case may be, the Mercury have assembled a competitive team featuring players that many fans might not even recognize. And with Copper and Thomas expected to return later this season, the potential of this team is still largely untapped.