The Golden State Valkyries finally have its initial 12-player roster, and one word sums up how Indiana Fever fans and WNBA analysts alike felt about Golden State's selection from the Fever: Bewildered.
Golden State selected Fever forward Temi Fagbenle with its pick from Indiana's roster. Fagbenle was listed as a player the Fever would hate to lose by IFR, as well as projected as a protected player by other outlets. Golden State picks up a solid addition in the front court, but that did not take away from the surprise.
"I detected some looks of shock when those names were announced," said ESPN's Elle Duncan, who hosted the Expansion Draft coverage alongside Andraya Carter and Rebecca Lobo.
Fagbenle, who is having a heck of a season overseas, is a big piece of the Fever's front court depth. She only played 22 games in 2024 due to injury, but she looked primed to step back into the mix in 2025 as Aliyah Boston's primary backup. Instead, the 6-foot-4 center will pack her bags for the Bay Area.
How does this affect the Fever?
It appeared as though it may have been Katie Lou Samuelson that would be departing. ESPN predicted it would be Samuelson selected, and Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase said prior to the reveal that she was looking for selfless, competitive players who could stretch the floor. If there's one thing that the Fever have, it is an abundance of three-point shooters.
But instead, Fagbenle parts ways and leaves a hole in the front court. This severly hurts the frontcourt, especially with forward NaLyssa Smith seemingly at odds with the Fever front office. Now might be the time for GM Amber Cox to attempt to mend that bridge.
6-foot-4 forward Damiris Dantas is a 10-year veteran who has proven to be an effective big in the league in years past, but it is yet to be seen how she will handle an expanded role since her MCL injury that kept her sidelined for the first half of 2024.
Other than Dantas, the Fever have limited options. They keep Samuelson, but she plays like more of a small forward than that of a true big. Victaria Saxton has played in just 24 games in her two-year career, keeping her in the unknown.
So now the Fever have two glaring issues on the agenda for this offseason: Acquire a capable wing and figure out the forward spot. The Valkyries have done some damage, even before sharing the court with Indiana.