For months, Indiana Fever fans have had one thing in mind: What will happen to Kelsey Mitchell?
The 29-year-old guard had a career year in 2024, setting career highs in scoring and field goal percentage. The main takeaway was how well she and star rookie Caitlin Clark played together, cementing the duo as one of the best backcourts in the league.
New head coach Stephanie White seemingly made it clear during her opening press conference and exclusive interview that she intended to bring Mitchell back. While White may have been set on including Mitchell in her "Big 3," the team made no official moves or statements regarding Mitchell.
Fever fans no longer have to worry
Per the WNBA transactions page, the Indiana Fever extended a core qualifying offer to Mitchell on Thursday. This guarantees Mitchell at least a one-year, $249,244 contract for 2025 (the league's maximum salary). While Mitchell can still decline, this would force other teams to match that offer and hope that Mitchell wants out of Indiana.
Mitchell said in September that she could see herself back in Indianapolis in 2025, but she needed to be "selfish" in the free agency process. A supermax contract offer from the team she has been on for the past seven years is a great start.
Indiana will not be the only team that reaches out to Mitchell. Her performance last season should garner at least some interest from all 13 WNBA teams. The Fever, however, do offer a unique experience that should attract Mitchell, and other free agents, to sign with Indiana.
Of the 40 regular season games on Indiana's 2024 schedule, both home and away, the Fever played in 36 sold out games. They forced teams, such as the Washington Mystics, to change venues to accommodate more fans when the Fever came to town. This, on top of the added media attention the Fever receive compared to the rest of the league, could be a big draw back for Mitchell.
The Fever also announced Thursday that the team would be receiving its very own practice and training facility, set to open before the 2027 season. The $78 million, 108,000-square-foot facility will be state-of-the-art, and should be another thing Mitchell considers.
Above all, Mitchell will think about the situation she is in on the court. The Fever have a young core: Clark, Aliyah Boston, NaLyssa Smith, and Lexie Hull are all 25 years old or younger. Mitchell, at 29, is the "elder stateswoman" of the team-- and just entering her prime.
If Mitchell re-signs and the Fever sign a premiere free agent wing-- such as Kelsey Plum or Satou Sabally-- the team will be in great shape to contend for a title in 2025.