In 2024, they called up WNBA great Tina Charles out of retirement. Charles was often the only bright spot on a roster riddled with injuries and struggling to keep up with other teams. However, one of Charles’ foremost advocates, former head coach Tanish Wright, is gone, and with the BG signing, Charles’ time in Atlanta is all but up.

We’re dealing with that now in Phoenix as the X-Factor deals with the departure of Brittney Griner, the most visible star in the history of the WNBA and perhaps all of team sports.

After 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, 10-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner has agreed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Dream, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Griner, who has spent her entire career in Phoenix after being drafted No. 1 overall in 2013, heads to Atlanta in one of the most stunning free agency signings in league history.