The Indiana Fever returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 but were swept by the Connecticut Sun in the opening round. Caitlin Clark changed the entire franchise and brought new popularity to the league. She was a rookie All-Star and is already one of the W’s best players. Having an elite talent is a privilege, but it comes with significant responsibility.
This is a massive offseason for the Fever. Clark plans on resting after nearly one year of non-stop basketball, but Indiana must improve their roster around her. All-Star Kelsey Mitchell is a free agent, and the franchise must do whatever possible to keep her. The Fever need to add too.
Clark, Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston are stars. The last two number-one overall draft picks and the former number-two selection led the Fever to the playoffs after a 1-8 start. With a few role players around them, they could quickly become one of the WNBA’s elite teams, but what must new president Kelly Krauskopf and the front office accomplish?
3. Find a secondary playmaker
Clark is arguably the league’s best playmaker. She broke the record for most assists in a season and is already unstoppable. The 22-year-old will put up unbelievable numbers for years to come, but adding a secondary option could do wonders.
Look at the Mavericks. Luka Doncic led them to the Western Conference finals playing next to Jalen Brunson and the NBA Finals starring beside Kyrie Irving. Doncic is known for dominating the ball, but the team is better with a number two.
Boston finished second on the Fever with 3.2 assists per game. Indiana may lean more into her playmaking, but having a guard capable of running the show makes the Fever significantly more difficult to stop. Kelsey Mitchell is a fantastic finisher, but Clark needs someone capable of creating for others to make the franchise a true title contender.
They are projected to have cap space, but can they convince someone to be their number two playmaker? The Fever will try, but it is far from the only necessary improvement.
2. Upgrade shooting
The Fever were third in 3-point percentage and fifth in 3-pointers made this season, but fans saw what Clark could do with shooting around her. Lexie Hull connected on 63.2 percent from long range in her 14 games after the Olympic break and was one of three Fever to shoot over 40 percent for the entire season.
Boston won’t space the floor. She made seven of 26 this season, which makes it more important to have three shooters around Clark. Let the two number-one overall picks operate as the pick-and-roll duo with three shooters spacing. Clark loves to play fast and the offense would be number one in the league with another shooter to dish to when the defense collapses.
Indiana will have an elite offense, but they cannot win without this.
1. Add perimeter defensive stopper
The Fever were an elite offense and a bad defense this season. They finished 11th of 12 teams in defensive rating and were forced to win shootouts. Clark allowed them to do it 20 times and got them to the playoffs. Improving on defense is a must as each of the final four teams finished in the top five in defensive rating.
Offense wins games, but defense wins championships. Clark can be a solid team defender. Aliyah Boston averaged 1.2 blocks per game, which was tenth-best in the W. She will protect the rim and grab rebounds, but the Fever need a shutdown option on the perimeter to transform their defense.
Finding a 3-and-D wing capable of defending at the point of attack would be ideal, but not many of those players exit. Indiana should be bold. They need a trade partner to make this happen, which is unlikely.
The Indiana Fever will do whatever they can to upgrade their roster this season. New president Kelly Krauskopf built an annual contender around Tamika Catchings in her first stint with the franchise and plans to do the same with Clark. Stay tuned to see what she accomplishes.