The Indiana Fever had a breakout season. They made the playoffs for the first time since 2016 behind a historic year from Caitlin Clark. The rookie took the W by storm. She was breaking records, earning honors, and bringing in new viewers, but Clark could not do it alone. Kelsey Mitchell played a key role in their success and finished tenth in MVP voting.
The 28-year-old has spent her entire career with the Fever, but things may change this offseason. Mitchell is an unrestricted free agent and will be searching for max dollars. The Fever can ensure they keep her, but it means paying her top dollar for 2025. Questions will remain until she signs, despite all signs pointing to Mitchell’s return.
There will be interest on the open market. She is one of the best scorers and shooters in the W. Getting a prime two-time All-Star in free agency could change a franchise’s fortunes, and here are the biggest threats to signing her away from the Fever.
4. Chicago Sky
The Sky are in a rebuild, but they have the cap space, market, and ratings appeal to attract a star free agent. They are searching for a new head coach after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018. There is some uncertainty, but the Sky have two young building blocks. Angel Reese is the second biggest box office draw in the W, and Kamilla Cardoso has superstar potential.
It was a disastrous season in Chicago filled with drama. Mitchell avoids social media, which may make this a strange fit. Chennedy Carter is a restricted free agent, and the Sky likely bring her back. There is no sense in having two score-first options in the backcourt with limited playmaking ability. Re-signing Carter is the likely path, but Chicago could pivot to Mitchell.
3. Los Angeles Sparks
If the Sparks win the lottery and draft Paige Bueckers, they will attempt to contend in 2025. Cameron Brink should be healthy, and there will be an exciting young core in LA. Bueckers and Clark are rivals dating back to college. The Sparks would love to get her an elite scorer to improve their title hopes and get one up on the Fever.
This comes with living in Los Angeles but hinges on the Sparks winning the lottery. They have a 44.2 percent chance of landing at number one, but the Wings, Sky, and Mystics hope to take the top spot. LA hasn’t made the playoffs since 2020, and Mitchell is unlikely to join a rebuilding franchise.
2. Golden State Valkyries
The expansion franchise has a clean cap sheet and zero players on their current roster. The WNBA will hold an expansion draft on Dec. 6, but the Valkyries can make trades and sign free agents to fill out their roster. Mitchell won’t be available in the draft, but Golden State has the room to sign her in free agency on a max contract to be their number one option.
The Valkyries figure to sell out every night and could be the second-most popular team in the W next season. Helping them instantly become a winner could be appealing. Mitchell would be their star, but Golden State would need a point guard to set her up. The two-time All-Star is not finding anyone better at that skill than Caitlin Clark.
The Golden State Valkyries have a plan and it likely does not involve adding Kelsey Mitchell. It would become an option if the guard showed interest, but Mitchell be lottery-bound with the expansion franchise. Contending for a title in Indiana seems more likely than leading Golden State in 2025.
1. Phoenix Mercury
The Mercury enter the offseason with just four players under contract and are waiting to see if Diani Taurasi continues her legendary career. The 42-year-old retiring will leave a massive hole in the backcourt. Phoenix will certainly recruit a replacement, and Kelsey Mitchell is arguably the best available free agent.
The Mercury have missed the playoffs just once since 2013. Kahleah Copper remains under contract, and the four-time All-Star needs more talent around her to keep Phoenix in the hunt. Mitchell would be an elite scorer and floor spacer for their group, but it won’t be easy convincing her to leave Indiana.
Expect Kelsey Mitchell to be back with the Indiana Fever for the 2025 season. There is plenty of uncertainty from there as the WNBA negotiates a new CBA. There will be significant player movement ahead of 2026, but the Fever's path to contention next season rests on keeping Mitchell and finding upgrades elsewhere.