Lynx add veteran guard Aari McDonald to bolster title push
The Minnesota Lynx have signed guard Aari McDonald, who averaged 9.8 points and 4.7 assists per game for Indiana last season before a broken foot ended her year. To make room, the Lynx waived Eliška Joklová. McDonald joins a 31-9 squad led by rookie Olivia Miles and All-Star Courtney Williams.
McDonald entered the league as the third overall pick in 2021 following a standout college career at Arizona, earning All-Rookie honors that year. She spent three seasons in Atlanta before a stint with Los Angeles, and her career averages of 8.8 points and 3.1 assists reflect steady production across five seasons.
Her 2025 campaign with Indiana showed promise—13 starts in 20 games—before a broken foot sidelined her for the final stretch and forced her to miss the Unrivaled winter league. Minnesota's roster already features rookie Olivia Miles and veteran Courtney Williams in the backcourt, with Maya Caldwell providing bench minutes, so McDonald's role will likely be supplemental depth rather than a starting assignment.
This signing could deepen the Lynx's postseason rotation at a critical moment, potentially influencing the championship race in a league where bench production often decides close playoff games. For McDonald, it represents a comeback opportunity after injury, and her recovery could serve as a meaningful example for athletes navigating returns. The move may also signal how contending teams value experienced guards late in the season, shaping roster strategies across the WNBA as the playoff picture tightens.