The Indiana Fever and forward Katie Lou Samuelson have mutually agreed to part ways, the team announced in a statement Monday morning.
The UConn product played just one season with the Fever, appearing in 37 games and averaging 4.3 points per contest off the bench. Samuelson is currently participating in Unrivaled as a member of the Phantom Basketball Club.
While Samuelson is held in high regard by many Fever fans, this move came as a shock to no one. Samuelson was already coming off the bench in 2024, and the additions of DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, and Sophie Cunningham will saturate the frontcourt minutes. Samuelson's talents are going to be coveted elsewhere.
Where could Samuelson land?
The most likely spot for Samuelson, if she wants a bigger role on a WNBA roster, would be the Golden State Valkyries. This move would not be for immediate success, as the Valkyries did not do much of anything in free agency past signing Tiffany Hayes. But the move would allow for Samuelson to compete for a starting forward spot, which could be a real possibility in the Bay Area.
The Connecticut Sun is another intriguing landing spot for Samuelson. The Sun were gutted this offseason, losing their head coach and three stars in Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, and DiJonnai Carrington. Marina Mabrey also requested out, opening up more room in the frontcourt.
The Sun get Natasha Cloud and sign 37-year-old free agent Tina Charles, but it is clear that the franchise is entering rebuild mode. Samuelson may begin her career off the bench, but she could very well earn a spot in the starting five.