The Indiana Fever are building around Caitlin Clark. The reigning Rookie of the Year finished fourth in MVP voting and broke the record for assists in a season. Clark is already the best playmaker in the W and is just getting started.
The Fever have a new-look front office. Kelly Krauskopf returned from the Pacers to take over as president, and she instituted Amber Cox as the new general manager. The duo has a plan. Clark cannot do it alone, and the Fever need more talent around their 22-year-old superstar.
Indiana has cap space, draft capital, and salary to trade this offseason. Can the Fever put the right pieces around Clark? They will not be shopping these players. Here is a look at Indiana's untouchable list.
3. Lexi Hull
The 25-year-old barely played to begin the season, but she couldn’t miss after the Olympic break. Hull shot 54.4 percent from the field and 63.2 percent on her threes over the final 14 games.
Some may question why Indiana wouldn’t consider trading her when she averaged 5.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 19.7 minutes per game for the season. Hull became close with Clark and proved she could knock down open looks. The Fever need shooting and want to keep their superstar happy. The 6’1 guard is a strong fit and a locker room boost for the Fever.
Indiana may add an upgrade on the wing and push Lexi Hull to the bench. She has never played more than 20.6 minutes per game for a full season. Putting her in a reserve role and letting Hull compete for Sixth Person of the Year may be the best case for all parties. Expect her to be back with the Fever next season and to continue nailing jumpers.
2. Kelsey Mitchell
Mitchell is a free agent, but the Fever can make her a core player. Doing so would give her a one-year maximum contract, but guarantee she stays in Indiana for the 2025 season.
Mitchell was an All-Star for the second consecutive season and played her best basketball as a bucket-getter accepting dimes from Clark. The 5’8 guard finished tenth in MVP voting and was unquestionably one of the best players in the W this season. The Fever need her scoring, shooting, and overall firepower. The best teams have elite players, and Mitchell certainly boosts Indiana’s talent level.
Keeping their star backcourt together is a no-brainer for the new brass, but she is not the only All-Star the Fever have zero interest in trading.
1. Aliyah Boston
The 2023 Rookie of the Year is already one of the best bigs in the W. She averaged 14.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.2 blocks in 30.9 minutes per game in her second season. Boston is already a two-time All-Star, and the 22-year-old has plenty of room to grow.
Clark and Boston on rookie contracts give Indiana a luxury. They will have cap space this summer after bringing back Mitchell and could add another marquee talent to their roster. Kelly Krauskopf was not shy about her plans, and Boston remains a massive part of what the Fever are doing.
Clark and Boston are the best young duo in the W. They made the playoffs in their first season together and want to vault into title contention in 2025. The Fever have a strong start but need more talent and depth to reach that goal.
Expect plenty of trade talks this offseason under the fresh decision-makers, but these players are staying put. Can the Fever add the necessary pieces to contend for a championship? Stay tuned to find out.