That would make sense since the rule always seemed unnecessary. On the other hand, it wouldn't surprise me if everyone just forgot. Seriously, the league is somewhat loosey-goosey with their rules -- like you can't trade an RFA after her offer sheet is matched, but you can if she gives you permission. Or you can't have more than 15 players in training camp, but you really can as long as there are never more than 15 at one time. And that's official players. Remember Crystal Bradford walking around in uniform and somehow not being counted as present in Sparks camp? Maybe a team just needs to have a 1st or 2nd Round pick by draft day. That would give Phoenix a few weeks to become compliant. With the status of Bonner and Bone still up in the air, it would be pretty easy to imagine a deal including the needed pick. If all else fails, they can probably auction off a bench player for a second rounder.
But you're right, getting rid of that rule is most likely what happened.
_________________
You can always do something else.