The Indiana Fever announced Wednesday that 2024 All-Star Kelsey Mitchell would be re-signing with the team, accepting the qualifying offer extended to her on January 16.
The Fever's biggest priority this offseason was to retain Mitchell. After Kelsey Plum was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks, the pressure started to build for the Fever front office. There was no one else left in the free agent pool that could match Mitchell's star power.
Indiana fans no longer have to worry
happy homecoming 🥰
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) January 29, 2025
a warm welcome for Kelsey Mitchell from Pacers Sports & Entertainment employees in the Ascension St. Vincent Entry Pavilion. pic.twitter.com/yeXxk1hmvv
Re-signing Mitchell keeps the starting lineup from 2024 in Indy. Cailtin Clark, Mitchell, Lexie Hull, NaLyssa Smith, and Aliyah Boston all return for the 2025 WNBA season, meaning that new head coach Stephanie White will have her "Big 3" and then some.
Mitchell will receive the WNBA supermax salary of $249,244-- a big payday for the 29-year-old. She was a top-10 scorer in 2024, tied with Clark for ninth on the list with 19.2 points per game. She also shot 40% from beyond the arc, making her and Clark one of the best three-point shooting backcourts in the WNBA.
One of the main takeaways from 2024 is how well Mitchell and Clark played off of one another. Clark attracted a ton of attention from the defense and distributed the ball well, setting up Mitchell with open shots. With the duo spreading the floor, Boston thrived in the paint. This offense truly gels extremely well-- and all starters are under 30 years old.
White, having eliminated the Fever in the 2024 WNBA playoffs, has what it takes to build a championship contender. She now has secured the talent to do so in Indiana-- with plenty left to do in free agency.