"Indiana Fever was too straight for DeWanna Bonner": Jason Whitlock drags 'heterosexual' Lexie Hull into wild theory on Caitlin Clark's slump

Jason Whitlock weighed in on DeWanna Bonner’s departure from the Indiana Fever, calling the WNBA “a gay soap opera.” The veteran sports analyst also said the off-court drama has affected the performance of star Caitlin Clark.

On Wednesday’s episode of "Fearless with Jason Whitlock," posted on X, Whitlock outlined why he believes Bonner’s time with the Fever didn’t work out.

"This league is a soap opera — it's a gay soap opera," Whitlock said. "We just had the star character, Caitlin Clark, not get along with one of the fill-in or extra characters or secondary characters in the WNBA, DeWanna Bonner... their big free-agent acquisition this offseason, it just didn't work.

"The environment in Indianapolis with the Indiana Fever and their fanbase, it's way too heterosexual for someone like DeWanna Bonner. They play a style and a pace that doesn't fit DeWanna Bonner."

Bonner, a two-time WNBA champion, played just nine games for the Fever. She started the first three games before being replaced in the starting lineup by guard Lexie Hull. Bonner missed the last five games due to personal reasons. Her final appearance came on June 10 in a 77-58 loss to the Atlanta Dream.

"They benched her for Lexie Hull, a blonde, attractive, apparently heterosexual woman," Whitlock said. "I just don't think this went over well with DeWanna Bonner. She quit the team on June 10th for personal reasons."

Whitlock speculated that Clark’s recent slump could be tied to the team’s off-court issues. He also suggested there may be tension involving fellow veterans Natasha Howard and All-Star Kelsey Mitchell:

"There clearly has been off-the-court drama affecting Caitlin Clark. And I think some of it revolves around DeWanna Bonner, but some of it probably revolves around Natasha Howard. ... Some of it perhaps Kelsey Mitchell. ... Just the chemistry on this team is not right. It's been poorly put together. There's no big picture vision."

Whitlock echoed the same sentiment in a tweet:

"The WNBA is a gay soap opera. The Indiana Fever was too straight for Dewanna Bonner, so she’s out. This off-the-court drama is clearly impacting Caitlin Clark in a negative way."

On Tuesday, Indiana snapped a two-game losing streak with a 94-86 win over the Seattle Storm. Clark, however, struggled again, finishing with six points on 3-for-13 shooting, including 0-for-6 from three-point range. Over her last three games, she has shot just 13-for-47 overall and 1-for-23 from beyond the arc.

DeWanna Bonner on Fever exit: "Felt the fit did not work out"

After days of speculation, the Indiana Fever announced Wednesday that they had waived DeWanna Bonner and signed guard Aari McDonald, who previously joined the team under the league’s emergency hardship exception.

The team released a statement from Bonner:

“I want to sincerely thank the Indiana Fever for the opportunity to be part of the Fever franchise. Despite our shared goals and excitement heading into the season, I felt the fit did not work out and I appreciate the organization’s willingness to grant my request to move on, particularly at this point in my career.

"I wish the Fever great success as they continue to build around this dynamic group of young players.”

According to WNBA insider Annie Costabile, league sources say the 37-year-old forward is eyeing either the Atlanta Dream or the Phoenix Mercury as her next destination. Bonner’s longtime partner, Alyssa Thomas, plays for the Mercury.