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March 20, 2008 - 10:40PM
Mercury sign Taurasi to 3-year deal
Comments | RecommendMatt Paulson, Tribune
Diana Taurasi, who led the Mercury to their first WNBA title last season, signed a three-year contract Thursday to remain with the organization.
Financial terms weren't released but indications are Taurasi will make the league maximum or close to it. The most a player can make this year is $95,000 and that amount will increase by $2,000 each year through 2013, according to the league's new collective bargaining agreement signed in January.
Taurasi, 25, was a restricted free agent but didn't receive offers from any other teams because she made it clear after last season she wanted to stay with Phoenix, a team spokesperson said.
Taurasi is currently playing in Russia and wasn't available for comment.
General manager Ann Meyers Drysdale said the two sides had been in agreement on a new deal for some time. It didn't become official until Thursday, though, because, "with her over in Russia and so many other things going on ... it was just a matter of when she could get the contract signed," Meyers Drysdale said.
A three-time All-Star, Taurasi averaged 19.2 points, 4.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds last season while helping the Mercury to a franchise-high 23 wins in the regular season. Taurasi led the league in scoring in 2006 (25.3) and was the Rookie of the Year in 2004 when she was the No. 1 overall pick.
The Mercury open training camp April 20 and start the regular season May 17 at home against Los Angeles.
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