Fever must protect these players in the Valkyries expansion draft

The Indiana Fever are fresh off a historic season and eager to keep building. Caitlin Clark had a record-breaking and historic rookie campaign, but her most memorable moment was surprising. The Fever snapped the longest playoff drought in the W and set records for attendance and viewership. The historic year was just the beginning.

Indiana is focused on improving their roster this offseason, but it won’t be easy. The Fever project to have cap space, but Kelsey Mitchell, Erica Wheeler, and Temi Fagbenle are free agents. President Kelly Krauskopf wants to add more talent. Finding the right pieces is key.

The Golden State Valkyries become the 13th WNBA franchise next season, and the expansion draft rules dropped on Sept. 30. Each team can protect six players, and Golden State can only select one from each roster. Who does Indiana make off-limits?

No brainers

There are four automatic choices for the Fever’s front office, including the franchise’s building blocks.

Caitlin Clark

No questions here. Clark is already one of the best players in the W and has three years remaining on her rookie contract.

Aliyah Boston

The two-time All-Star is one of the best young frontcourt players in the league. Her rebounding and passing improved in year two as Boston became the perfect fit next to Clark.

Kelsey Mitchell

Teams must protect free agents if they do not want to lose them. The 5’8 guard is an elite scorer and in her prime. Expect the Fever to core her and keep her in Indiana for the 2025 season.

Lexi Hull

Hull became one of the best 3-point shooters in the W playing off Clark, and the duo has formed a close bond off the court. The Fever want shooting and defense around their Big 3. Hull made 47.1 percent from 3-point range this season and just turned 25 years old.

The final 2

Indiana has two remaining spots and no clear answers. Their most important player this season fell out of the rotation in the playoffs. Does Indiana try to keep her? If not, who takes her spot?

NaLyssa Smith

The number two overall pick in 2022 averaged 15.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 28.5 minutes per game in 2023. Her numbers dipped this season, and both sides should move on.

The Fever should not leave Smith unprotected. She is only 24 years old, and finding athletic 6’4 forwards is difficult. Some team will trade for her, and Indiana must maximize their assets to build an annual title contender around Clark.

Temi Fagbenle

The 6’4 center is a restricted free agent this offseason, but she moved into the starting group when Smith was benched in the playoffs. Indiana can match any offer on the open market. Keeping her likely depends on what free agents the Fever can attract. Fagbenle is the superior option to the other names on this list.

Toughest cuts

Damiris Dantas

Dantas is set to make $100,000 in 2025 after averaging just 10.6 minutes per game this season. It is not ideal, and the Fever should not be upset if the Valkyries select Dantas. The 31-year-old is a reserve at this stage and incapable of being counted on for a significant role.

Erica Wheeler

The veteran went from starting to playing just 14 minutes per game behind Clark. She helped mentor the rookie, but the 33-year-old former All-Star may prefer to play her final years elsewhere. Wheeler will explore the market and may wind up back in Indiana when all is said and done.

The Golden State Valkyries may take Wheeler for her veteran presence and playmaking. They will struggle in year one but have sold thousands of season tickets. The popularity is growing, and several fresh fans will latch onto the team in the Bay Area.

The Indiana Fever have difficult decisions to make ahead of the expansion draft. There are just four locks and the other moves likely hinge on making a NaLyssa Smith trade. If it happens before the deadline, the Fever may have to reevaluate its protection.

This won’t be an easy decision and will certainly shake up the league. More franchises are coming in 2026 with the cap spike, so expect tons of roster movement over the next two years. The Fever have a goal and will do whatever it takes to build a title challenger around Caitlin Clark. This is just the start of a crucial offseason, so stay locked in.