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Elena Delle Donne, a prominent figure in WNBA, has made a significant decision that has left basketball fans and analysts in shock. The two-time WNBA MVP, who led the Washington Mystics to their first title in 2019, has decided to take a break from the sport due to back issues and injury concerns.
Despite the Mystics’ offer of a one-year supermax contract at the commencement of WNBA free agency, Delle Donne expressed her uncertainty about her future in basketball. This news was reported by ESPN, and it has left Mystics fans concerned about the future of their star player on the court.
Delle Donne’s decision to step away from the game was influenced by the serious and repeated injury problems she has encountered in recent years. At 34 years old, she continues to be a dominant force on the court when she is healthy. However, her ongoing struggles with back issues and the impact of multiple surgeries during her nine-year professional career have led her to take this significant break from the game.
Her uncertainty about her future was made clear to the Washington Mystics early in the offseason, prompting the team to use the core designation on her, granting them exclusive negotiation rights with the formidable forward. However, the core designation also automatically included a one-year supermax offer, a proposition that Delle Donne has decided not to pursue.
It remains unclear when or if Delle Donne will return to basketball. If she decides to come back, she would have to sign with the Mystics or request a trade. Regardless of her decision, the Mystics will not be left empty-handed. In the event that Delle Donne sits out the entire 2024 season, the core designation could be placed on her again, ensuring that Washington will retain an option for her return.
Elena Delle Donne has been a symbol of strength and determination in the WNBA for several years. Her decision to take a break from basketball due to her back issues and injury concerns adds a new chapter to her remarkable career. Whether she returns to the sport or chooses a different path, the impact of her absence from the court will be felt throughout the league.
