Plans for the Mercury’s future started to come to light last offseason. In February 2024, they acquired Copper, the 2021 WNBA Finals MVP and multi-time All-Star, from the Chicago Sky. She had led the Sky to the title over the Mercury.

In addition to her three WNBA championships with the Mercury, Taurasi won six Euroleague championships while playing year-round most of her career. She was the 2009 WNBA MVP and is one of four players to earn WNBA Finals MVP honors more than once (2009, 2014).