Taurasi Agrees to New Deal With Mercury, Won't Take 2011 Off

The Phoenix Mercury can breathe a sigh of relief. And so can the WNBA.

All-Star Diana Taurasi agreed to a contract extension with the Mercury, ending speculation that the league's leading scorer would skip the 2011 WNBA season.

"The Mercury organization holds a very special place in my heart," Taurasi said. "I'm just glad that I can continue my career here and hopefully bring another championship home to Phoenix."

Phoenix, which clinched the second seed in the West, will host the San Antonio Silver Stars in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Thursday. The Mercury will be shooting for their third title in four years.

Phoenix general manager Ann Meyers Drysdale said she was excited and pleased that they could get the deal done before the postseason began.

"Diana is one of the best players in the world and she is such an important part of this organization," Meyers Drysdale said. "Now she can focus on the playoffs."

Meyers Drysdale refused to disclose the length of Taurasi's extension, noting league policy. However, on Friday, the Mercury announced they re-signed center Kara Braxton, whom they acquired in a midseason trade with the Tulsa Shock, to a multiyear extension.

Taurasi, who averages 22.6 points a game, and Meyers Drysdale said the extension was designed to allow the Mercury to make roster upgrades -- via trades or free agent signings -- after this season. While neither would discuss money, both Taurasi and Meyers Drysdale hinted that Taurasi's deal was for less than the maximum.

"There are not many players who would do what Diana has done," Meyers Drysdale said. "It's really amazing. Diana just wants to do whatever is necessary for us to build a great team."