Now that the Fever have two young star players on the roster and got a first taste of playoff basketball, this offseason will be incredibly important for the team. The Fever already upgraded the head coaching position, letting go of Christie Sides and hiring Stephanie White.
What is still missing are the right players around Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. Especially the power forward spot has been an issue. Playing two non-shooters like Aliyah Boston and NaLyssa Smith in the front court together is difficult. On top of that, Smith is also not a great defender.
It seems the Fever need an upgrade or at least some help. Other than re-signing Kelsey Mitchell, that should be the team’s offseason priority. Fortunately, some forwards are hitting free agency this offseason.
Satou Sabally
Satou Sabally is the most obvious name on this list. Ever since she liked some comments from fans trying to recruit her to Indiana on social media, Sabally has been rumored to want to join the Fever. She is an unrestricted free agent, but the Dallas Wings could still core her. The most likely scenario is that the Wings core, and then trade her so they don’t lose one of their best players for nothing.
Sabally would be a great fit in Indiana and a serious upgrade over NaLyssa Smith. She is a high-level scorer who shot over 40 percent from three on around 5 attempts per game last season, a strong rebounder, a good passer, and a solid defender.
Furthermore, Sabally is still young enough to fit in with Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston long-term.
Natasha Howard
The Dallas Wings could lose two of their forwards this offseason. Natasha Howard has already voiced her plans to explore free agency and find a new team. Knowing that the Fever should try to recruit her, especially if they cannot get Sabally.
Howard averaged 17.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 steals last season. She is a two-time All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year, and three-time champion. Howard wants to compete and could offer the Fever veteran championship experience and a tough defender. They desperately need any defensive upgrade they can get.
The one concern with Howard is that she is not a good 3-point shooter either, averaging only 29.7 percent from three for her career. Nevertheless, Howard is worth keeping an eye on in free agency for the Fever.
With the new CBA being negotiated, Howard would probably not look for a long-term deal right now, which would also allow the Fever to remain flexible in the future.
Alysha Clark
The Las Vegas Aces have already done what the Fever are aiming to do: win championships and build one of the strongest teams in league history. After winning two championships, the Aces took a step backward last season, and it may be time for them to part ways with Alysha Clark.
Clark is already 37, but it seems like she still has some energy left in her before retiring. If the Fever are looking for a forward who knows what it takes to win, plays tough defense, and can space the floor, Clark could be a short-term answer.
After all, Clark is a 38.3 percent shooter from three for her career and knows how to play her role next to big-time stars. She won’t be someone the Fever can incorporate into their core for the long-term future, but she could be a nice option to bridge the cap if the Fever cannot find a younger forward, who is ready to contribute right away, this offseason.