The Indiana Fever solve its wing problem, sign Natasha Howard

The Indiana Fever knew going into the offseason that they needed another wing to set the team up for a deep playoff run. They solved this problem Friday afternoon.

Dallas Wings forward Natasha Howard told ESPN Friday that she would sign with the Indiana Fever as a free agent when the signing period opens up on February 1. Howard was originally drafted by the Fever in 2014, and has since won a Defensive Player of the Year award and three WNBA titles. She will bring much-needed playoff experience to a talented, young core of Fever players.

Howard posted an image from her draft night in 2014 on Instagram, with the caption "Back to where all my dreams came true."

Howard averaged 17.6 PPG, 6.7 REB, and 1.3 STL in her 2024 campaign with Dallas, a standout performance in what was an otherwise a lackluster year for the team. She now heads back to Indiana, passing up on the opportunity to play with seemingly surefire #1 overall pick Paige Bueckers from UConn.

Many experts speculated that Indiana would go after a 3-and-D wing, someone who could help spread the floor with the backcourt duo of Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell. While Howard shot just 20% from behind the arc last season, she more than makes up for it in her defense and her ability to attack the rim. She excels both on the drive and in the post, making it possible to run a small-ball lineup when Aliyah Boston is off the floor.

Howard was also, at one point, a mid-30s percent three-point shooter. There is still a possibility that she returns to form this offseason to help the Fever light it up from deep.

The signing of Howard now implies a potential lineup of Clark, Mitchell, Howard, NaLyssa Smith, and Boston... though it also could indicate that Smith will be traded to make room, as she has seemingly been at odds with the Fever organization.

The Fever have made their big splash, and free agency is only just getting started.