Second-round picks don’t always make a WNBA roster right away. Often, they spend some time playing overseas and working on their game before finding a spot in the WNBA. With more expansion teams coming soon, that should change in the foreseeable future.
Fever rookie Makayla Timpson didn’t have a roster spot guaranteed when she was drafted with the 19th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. She went to a deep team with championship aspirations that can only carry eleven players.
After a few roster cuts, the battle for the final spot on the Fever’s roster is down to Makayla Timpson and Jaelyn Brown. Timpson is a very athletic player who already played well in the preseason, but Jaelyn Brown would offer the Fever some more experience and guard depth.
Right now, it seems that the final roster spot belongs to Timpson.
Stephanie White spoke about Timpson’s role with the Fever
Before the Indiana Fever’s final preseason game against the Atlanta Dream, head coach Stephanie White spoke on Timpson’s role with the Fever, seemingly confirming that she will be on the final roster.
“Her greatest growth is in front of her,” White said, praising Timpson. “She’s long, she’s athletic, she’s got great hands, she’s got soft touch, she improved every year. She’s coachable, she’s played various roles throughout her entire career, so she’s used to that.”
White also added, “You know, our team is deep. There are going to be times where she might be in the rotation. There are going to be times where she might not.”
So, Timpson seems to have secured a spot on the Fever’s roster, but that does not mean that she will have consistent minutes guaranteed.
Makayla Timpson will have to fight for her minutes with the Fever
The Fever’s priority this season is not to develop young players. While they want to give Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark a chance to grow and improve, they are also chasing a championship. Clark has made it very clear that winning a championship would constitute a successful season for her.
To accomplish that goal, the Fever will have to lean heavily on their veterans. They brought in players like DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, and Sophie Cunningham precisely because of their experience.
Timpson will likely get a few chances to step onto the court. Bonner is already 37 years old, and Howard is 33. There will be times when White will want to give her veteran forwards a rest and play Timpson instead.
Fans should still expect to see Timpson on the bench when games matter the most, though.