With Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell, the Indiana Fever have a big three firmly in place. The trio played so well last season that the Fever made the playoffs despite relying heavily on a rookie and a second-year player. Their inexperience became obvious in the playoffs, however. Even Kelsey Mitchell, a 29-year-old veteran, had not been to the WNBA playoffs yet before last season.
Ultimately, the Fever stood little chance against the veteran Connecticut Sun and were swept in the first round. They did improve after the first game, though. While the Fever lost 93-69 in Game 1, Game 2 was much closer with a final score of 87-81.
Nevertheless, it was obvious that the Fever needed some more veteran experience on their roster. Making all the right moves, the front office signed players who fit that description in free agency.
DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard will provide championship experience
DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard were some of the best free agents available this offseason. Both opted to go to Indiana, immediately turning the team into a much more competitive team.
First and foremost, Bonner and Howard will add some much-needed defensive intensity to the Fever. Indiana was one of the worst defenses in the league last season, and that makes winning at the highest level incredibly difficult. Signing Bonner and Howard and trading for Sophie Cunningham should help fix that problem.
The Fever brought in Stephanie White after the end of the 2024 season, hoping that she could fix the team’s defense, but they also had to provide her with the right players to successfully tackle that task. In that regard, the Fever had a great offseason.
Bonner and Howard add more than just defense and offensive production, though. They have plenty of playoff experience between them. Bonner has already played a total of 87 playoff games, and Howard has appeared in 53. That experience will make a true difference on a team whose core has only played two playoff games so far.
The two veterans have not only played at the highest level, though. They have also won in the playoffs and can teach their younger teammates what it takes to win a championship. Bonner helped the Phoenix Mercury win two WNBA titles, and Howard is a three-time WNBA champion, winning titles with the Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm.
Bonner and Howard make the Fever a contender because of their on-court production, but their impact will go far beyond that. Their experience will be just as important as their basketball skill.