Fever should steal from the Mavericks blueprint to build around Caitlin Clark

The Indiana Fever found their superstar in Caitlin Clark. The 22-year-old had a historic rookie season, which included shattering several records, bringing new popularity to the WNBA, and leading her team to the playoffs. Clark is just getting started, but the franchise must build around her unique skill set to become a true title contender.

The focus shifts to Kelsey Mitchell’s free agency. The two-time All-Star has only played for the Fever but plans on testing the market. Mitchell and Aliyah Boston give Indiana a Big 3, but it is not enough to compete with the W’s top teams.

The Mavericks have completely revamped their roster since Jalen Brunson departed in the 2022 offseason. It started with a trade for Kyrie Irving, but it was last season’s moves that vaulted Dallas to the NBA Finals for just the third time in franchise history, and first with Luka Doncic. What can the Fever learn from those transactions?

Fever should steal the Mavericks' blueprint to build around Caitlin Clark

Dallas needed defense, athleticism, and shooting around their superstar guards. Signing Derrick Jones Jr. gave them a needed perimeter stopper. Dallas traded for Grant Williams, but the fit was not right. They quickly pivoted to acquiring P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford to give them more athleticism and versatility. The Mavs also got a slam dunk by drafting Dereck Lively II in the late lottery.

Clark is the Fever’s Luka Doncic, and Kelsey Mitchell fills the role of Kyrie Irving. They would love Mitchell to improve her playmaking, but she is an elite scorer. Aliyah Boston gives Indiana a star option in the frontcourt with room to grow like Lively II.

The missing pieces for the Fever are the perimeter stopper, floor spacers, and more versatility. With their season on the line, head coach Christie Sides made a change in the starting five and barely played her bench. The Fever need depth, but the focus should be on adding a frontcourt option to fill that Washington role in Dallas and someone to defend at the point of attack.

The Fever will have the eighth overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Dallas found Lively II with the 12th selection. Indiana must nail this pick and find a rotation piece to help their roster quickly.

Indiana has cap space this offseason and brought back Kelly Krauskopf as their team president. She built annual contenders around Tamika Catchings and played a crucial role in helping the Pacers reach the conference finals in 2024. Expect her to make moves to get the Fever back to their glory days.

The Indiana Fever are just getting started. Caitlin Clark will improve in year two, and the front office will upgrade the roster around her. Can they follow the Dallas Mavericks' blueprint and make a deep playoff run in 2025? The goal is clear, but it won’t be easy. It is a crucial offseason, so stay tuned for all the latest.