Diana Taurasi not at Mercury’s exit day amid retirement rumors

One day after the Phoenix Mercury were eliminated from the WNBA playoffs, Diana Taurasi was not at the Mercury’s exit media availability Thursday afternoon.

As the season went on, many speculated that Taurasi’s 20th season would be her final season. She had already eclipsed the 10,000 points mark last season and won her sixth Olympic gold medal this summer, leaving her with little to prove on her long resume. Taurasi also finished the final year of her two-year deal.

But Taurasi has yet to make an announcement.

While she’s previously dismissed the idea of a farewell tour, she had an opportunity on Thursday to announce her future. Instead, she avoided talking about retirement altogether by not attending.

An athlete of Taurasi’s caliber can choose however she wants to announce the decision. Many athletes these days have used social media to make decisions known.

But Taurasi might avoid an announcement like fellow Phoenix athlete Larry Fitzgerald did when he left the Cardinals.

Whatever Taurasi decides for her future, the Mercury organization is preparing for both scenarios.

“Something I talked to the players about today is, if Dee decides to come back or not, if she’s not here, not only her play on the court, but her daily leadership, daily commitment to the group, and the standard that she sets,” head coach Nate Tibbetts said. “When an icon like that is here, maybe people are willing to step into that. If she’s not here, we’re going to need people to step up and that’s going to be a big challenge for us.”

Griner’s future:’Nowhere near retiring’ after season-ending playoff loss at Lynx

The Mercury have four players under contract for next season, including starting point guard Natasha Cloud, guard Sophie Cunningham, and starting wings Kahleah Copper and Rebecca Allen.

Center Brittney Griner finished a one-year deal this season but is far from leaving the organization.

“I think that you saw spurts of what the future holds for us. You saw Dee, don’t know if she’s coming back or she’s not,” Sophie Cunningham said. “If she’s not, that’s going to open up a lot of money for us to bring some phenomenal athletes in here. I know a lot of people want to come here.”

If Taurasi doesn’t return, her teammates will reflect on her impact on their careers and use it going forward.

“I’m super grateful,” Copper said. “There are players who get drafted next year and they hope to play with Diana Taurasi. I was able to get that experience to play with a true winner, (she’s) selfless and just a true dog. I think that not too many players got to experience her at this point in her career. I got to see her work ethic at her age and for me, it’s like, there’s no reason I’m not getting after it every day after seeing how Dee really prepares. Grateful that I was able to experience her and was able to learn from her.”