The Indiana Fever have a busy offseason ahead... and we're already two months into it.
Indiana finished 20-20 in 2024, securing a spot in the WNBA Playoffs where they were eliminated by the Connecticut Sun in the first round. The season was highlighted by the performance of WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark, but the team as a whole started to establish its identity. The young core of Clark, Aliyah Boston, and NaLyssa Smith emerged as one of the most promising trios in the league, and the superb play of Kelsey Mitchell to go along with it made the Fever must-watch TV.
To prove it, the Fever shattered WNBA viewership records in 2024.
But now that the season is over, some glaring issues need to be addressed. Expiring contracts, free agency targets, team needs-- it's all on the table. If Indiana wants to compete for a title in 2025 behind new head coach Stephanie White, she will need to be given the tools fit for the job.
Here are the three moves that the Fever need to make during the 2024-25 offseason.
1. Re-sign Kelsey Mitchell
Some say the best addition is eliminating a subtraction (maybe that's just me that says that).
Mitchell had her breakout season in 2024. The 29-year-old finished as a Top 10 scorer in the league with 19.2 points per game, shooting 40.2% from beyond the arc. The main takeaway was how well she and Clark played together, solidifying the duo as one of the best back courts in the WNBA.
White said in her introductory interview with the Fever that she envisions building her team around the "Big 3" of Clark, Boston, and Mitchell. That means fans know the top priority for White this offseason: bringing the All-Star back to Indianapolis.
If the Fever can bring back Mitchell and sure up that back court, they can focus on other free agents and trade opportunities to fill in other holes-- namely a solid, established wing that the team desparately needs.
Speaking of which...
2. Trade NaLyssa Smith
If you have been following the Fever this offseason, you know why this move is inevitable.
Smith and the Fever seem to be going through a bad breakup. The former #2 overall pick, who still has one year remaining on her contract, removed the Fever from her Instagram bio following the team's elimination from the playoffs, and the NaLyssa Smith saga has been in full swing ever since.
It is yet to be confirmed by Smith, directly, whether or not these cryptic social media messages are in direct relation to her standing with the Fever. If they are, however, the Fever need to think about getting a possible return.
Fever GM Amber Cox should be scheduling a sit-down with Smith as soon as possible. The two parties need to get everything off their chests. If they can keep Smith, great. She's a vital piece of the front court. If the bridge cannot be mended, Cox needs to look for potential suitors for a trade.
At that point, the Fever should be looking for the best possible option-- regardless of position. With Temi Fagbenle off to Golden State via the expansion draft, both the front court and wing positions are priorities for Indiana. Smith's trade value is directly tied to what the Fever are able to get in free agency. Free agents Kelsey Plum, Emily Engstler, and Gabby Williams are viable options at wing, and there are an assortment of talented bigs available.
Whatever the Fever can't fill in free agency, they acquire through trading Smith.
3. Solidify the front court
As aforementioned, Fagbenle is gone. Smith is possibly on her way out. This leaves Aliyah Boston and the Fever in a precarious situation.
Damiris Dantas is a proven contributor in the WNBA, but the 32-year-old is coming off of an MCL injury that she was unable to fully recover from. With a full offseason to return to form, Dantas could be the option to replace Smith. If she's not ready for the expanded role yet, the Fever will need another power forward.
In any case, the Fever could use a big to add depth.
Katie Lou Samuelson is a forward, but she plays more like a slashing small forward than a true back-to-basket big. Sure, she has post ability. But adding more size on the glass and in the paint is what Indiana should be looking for.
Some big names at forward in free agency-- Breanna Stewart, Brittney Griner, and Alyssa Thomas. All provide huge boosts in scoring and in rebounding, though Thomas may be a long-shot due to her stated distaste with the Fever fanbase.
Really, though, the Fever do not need to be in talks with big-name free agents at forward. Aliyah Boston is the starting center, that is for certain. She just needs someone to help lighten the load, someone like Isabelle Harrison from the Chicago Sky. Harrison is accustomed to providing valuable minutes off the bench and can be used alongside Boston as well for rim-protecting personnel.
Depth and rebounding, that's what the Fever need right now. They fix both problems with a big like Harrison.