Jewell Loyd's name has been the center of the NBA offseason for the past 14 hours.
Jewell Loyd has requested a trade from the Seattle Storm, a source confirmed to ESPN. @AnnieCostabile first. Loyd was at the center of the Storm's investigation into accusations of harassment and bullying by the team's coaching staff. Seattle said today no violations were found.
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) December 5, 2024
The six-time WNBA All-Star requested a trade from the Seattle Storm Wednesday night following an allegation made against Seattle's coaching staff. The Storm's coaches allegedly bullied and harassed Loyd and others, which was later refuted by an internal investigation conducted by Seattle. Loyd, upon the conclusion of said investigation, now wants out.
So now the speculation begins. Where could Loyd end up? What team would be the best fit for the two-time WNBA champion?
IFR takes a look at how Jewell Loyd could be the perfect fit in Indianapolis.
The Fever have a need, and Loyd fits the bill
The Fever need a wing this offseason, whether it be in the draft or in free agency.
Re-signing Kelsey Mitchell is the top priority for Indiana. The 29-year-old had a breakout season in 2024, recording career-highs in scoring and field goal percentage. Mitchell also gelled well with star rookie Caitlin Clark, which may be why new head coach Stephanie White seems committed to bringing Mitchell back.
But while the WNBA will be adding the Golden State Valkyries as its 13th expansion team, the addition of Jewell Loyd would turn the Fever into the WNBA's rendition of the Golden State Warriors.
When you have Caitlin Clark, you spread the floor. Mitchell's 40.2% three-point percentage gave the Fever one of the best one-two punches in the league from behind the arc. But adding Loyd and her scoring prowess would be deadly.
Loyd is a career 34.8% three-point shooter in her 10-year career. Her ability to create space off the dribble fits right in with the play-style Indiana has adopted since drafting Clark. The Fever would be able to spread the floor extremely well with Loyd in a three-guard set, setting up forward Aliyah Boston for better looks in the post when the ball moves down low.
On the other side of the ball, the Fever would pick up the lockdown defender in the backcourt that it needs. Loyd ranked fifth in the WNBA last season in defensive win shares (0.191). Putting Loyd on an opponent's top offensive threat keeps the Fever in close games.
Think about the possibilities...
The move also adds a plethora of different looks the Fever could try out. A starting lineup of Clark, Mitchell, Loyd, Boston, and NaLyssa Smith is one of the best in the league on paper. This lineup provides scoring, three-point efficiency, defense, and size-- the perfect marriage of superlatives.
Smith seems to want out of Indiana, though, so replacing her with forward Temi Fagbenle (who is having quite the offseason overseas) turns Indiana into an elite rim-protecting team as well.
Then you take into account guard Lexie Hull, who can take control off the bench. She and one of the other three guards mentioned would keep the pressure on opponents in the second unit. We haven't even mentioned a hypothetical four-guard set, with Clark, Mitchell, Loyd, and Hull all out on the court with Boston roaming the paint. Talk about a nightmare for opposing defenses.
In short, adding a two-time Olympic gold medalist to your roster is objectively the right move. While every team should be vying for one of the best players in the WNBA, this pairing is fun to think about.