The Indiana Fever were one of the most followed teams in the WNBA last season. They had more eyes on them last season which is not a surprise, as they drafted a generational player in Caitlin Clark.
In the 2024 regular season, the Fever made strides from the previous year's record of 13-27. They finished the regular season 20-20 prior to getting swept in the first round by Connecticut Sun.
Here at the Indiana Fever Report, we discuss three ways in which the franchise can improve upon a first-round playoff exit.
Keep Kelsey Mitchell and NaLyssa Smith
Mitchell has spent the whole of her career with the Fever while Smith could play a pivotal role next season. The Indiana Fever should do everything they can to keep both players when they enter free agency next year for varying reasons.
Mitchell was drafted 2nd by the Fever in 2018 and during her time with the franchise she has had her fair share of memorable moments. In her first season, she was named in the 2018 all rookie team. Last season she was the joint highest scorer for the Fever alongside Caitlin Clark when she averaged 19.2 points.
Smith was drafted 2nd by the franchise in 2022 and was named in the all rookie team in her first year. The 24-year-old did relatively well last season, averaging 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1 assist.
It is worth nothing that she has had a perceived feud with the organization, but the departure of Fever forward Temi Fagbenle has made it wise for the organization to mend the bridge.
Make amendments to their roster
Last season Christie Sides only utilized eight players in her rotation, and while doing so depended more upon the likes of Aaliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell. This may be a problem next season as you will run the risk of star players picking up an injury before the playoffs.
They need to boost their rooster as Temi Fagbenle has gone to Golden State Valkyries. This a blow because she is an experienced head for the younger players and ended up being a crucial part of the rotation late last season.
Improve their defense
Last season Indiana Fever's defensive rating stagnated from the previous campaign. They need to improve on steals per game and limit second chance points as they finished bottom and second from bottom respectively for those metrics. The main reason behind this could be a back court consisting of Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell as well as NaLyssa Smith giving up points as the main defender.
If they don't solve their defensive issues then they may struggle when they come up against teams such as the New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx, Connecticut Sun and Las Vegas Aces in the playoffs.