Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner want to return to Mercury in 2024 - ESPN

Diana Taurasi is already under contract for another season with the Phoenix Mercury, while center Brittney Griner is not. But both said Monday they intend to take the court for the Mercury in the 2024 WNBA season and have hopes to play in the Paris Olympics.

The Mercury, who finished last in the league standings at 9-31 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2012, met with the media Monday to wrap up this season and look ahead.

Taurasi missed 14 games due to injuries, the most recent due to her toe. Her last game was Aug. 29, when she played just over 13 minutes. But she said she will return for her 20th WNBA season next year, when she turns 42.

Taurasi said she feels very optimistic about the Mercury's future, with new owner Mat Ishbia and new general manager Nick U'Ren having taken over this year.

«Sometimes you can do all the right things, offseason, in season. That doesn't mean you're always going to get what you want,» said Taurasi, who averaged 16.0 points and 4.6 assists in 26 games this season. «I've got another year on my contract and I'm definitely going to fulfill that. I'm excited with what we'll be able to do in free agency and having some salary cap space to make some moves.»

Griner, who turns 33 in October, is an unrestricted free agent but said she has no thoughts of playing anywhere but Phoenix, where she has spent her 10-season WNBA career.

«Phoenix is home,» Griner said. «Me and my wife literally just got a place [here]. This is it.»

Taurasi (2004) and Griner (2013) both were No. 1 picks in years after the Mercury missed the playoffs. Phoenix will be in the 2024 draft lottery.

It is not expected that guard Skylar Diggins-Smith, who was on maternity leave and didn't play this season in the