The six-time All-Star has earned her way into the highest-paid tier of WNBA players — check out the numbers behind the Phoenix Mercury’s Skylar Diggins-Smith contract.
Skylar Diggins-Smith has become one of the star faces of the Phoenix Mercury. Alongside Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner, her big-shot ability during critical playoff moments have kept the Mercury contenders in the WNBA.
In 2020, Diggins-Smith set a new standard for WNBA contracts, signing a four-year “supermax” extension worth a total of $899,490 as a member of the Dallas Wings, the franchise that drafted her No. 3 overall in 2013 while known as the Tulsa Shock. Regarding WNBA contract earnings, the astonishing number places Diggins-Smith in a three-way tie with DeWanna Bonner and Elena Delle Donne as one of the league’s highest-paid players in total contract value.
However, the biggest splash of that offseason came when the star guard was traded to Phoenix in exchange for the No. 5 and No. 7 picks in the 2020 draft and the Mercury’s own 2021 first-round pick.
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Diggins-Smith’s role became even more important last year as Phoenix had to get by without two of its star players. Griner, a true 1-of-1 talent in the game, endured a 10-month detainment in Russia that drew global attention. At the same time, Taurasi, the veteran team leader, wrestled a nagging quad injury. Amid these setbacks, Diggins-Smith stepped up her game to MVP-worthy levels. The seasoned guard scored 19.7 points per game — third-highest in the league — to go with 5.5 assists.
Mercury fans entered the 2023 season having to wait a little longer to witness the triumphant reunion of their star-studded trio at Footprint Center this season, however, as Diggins-Smith remained away from the team on maternity leave as the campaign tipped off. Upon her return, however, the Mercury are intriguing title contenders.
With that in mind, check out the numbers behind Phoenix’s Skylar Diggins-Smith contract.
Click here for Boardroom’s full explainer on the 2023 WNBA salary cap, including minimum salary and “supermax” rules.
Skylar Diggins-Smith Contract & Salary Details
All dollar figures as noted by Spotrac.
Years: 4
Total value: $899,480
Average annual value: $224,870
Free agency: 2024
Annual contract extension salary numbers:
2020: $215,000
2021: $221,450
2022: $227,900
2023: $234,350
Previous contract (2016-2020)
Signed with: Dallas Wings
Years: 4
Total value: $458,000
Average annual value: $114,500
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