It’s not Kelsey Mitchell or bust for the Fever

The Indiana Fever will probably bring back All-Star shooting guard Kelsey Mitchell. But, the move will not fix their biggest flaw: defense.

After some initial issues last season, the Indiana Fever made the playoffs for the first time since 2016, looking like a team on the way up. With over $650,000 in cap space, they can target some big names to continue to accelerate the organization’s rise.

The issue, though, is whether another star will be able to share the spotlight with Caitlin Clark, and whether there will be enough time on the court for other players to reach their potential. Last year, head coach Christie Sides’ rotations weren’t particularly flexible, with Grace Berger and Victaria Saxton usually spending whole games on the bench; Berger played in only 11 games last season, while Saxton saw action in just nine contests. It’s evident that keeping the two in Indiana is stunting their growth. Unless something changes, it may be better for both sides if the players move on to where they’ll be more appreciated.

For the Fever, this would mean two additional roster spots, which may become crucial since the previous regime dug the team into a bit of a ditch. Their two highest earners are bench players and because their contracts are protected, the financial flexibility of the Fever is limited. While Katie Lou Samuelson is a good locker room presence, the Fever could have an awesome veteran in Erica Wheeler, if they decide to bring back the unrestricted free agent for a much lower annual salary. Samuelson’s on-court production in 2024 did not validate a salary that approaches the range paid to All-Stars. Damiris Dantas, the Fever’s second-highest paid player, had a couple of issues on and off the court last season, so it remains to be seen how she’ll perform if she gets to enjoy a full training camp and good health.

Those are some minor team-building issues to consider. The Fever’s top priority will be bringing back unrestricted free agent Kelsey Mitchell. But, is that the proper decision? Here’s how Indiana will enter free agency, followed by a closer analysis of the tough decisions facing the team:

Facts and figures*

Players under contract (contract status; 2025 salary)

• Aliyah Boston (unprotected; $83,371)
• Grace Berger (unprotected; $79,999)
• Caitlin Clark (unprotected; $78,066)
• Damiris Dantas (protected veteran; $100,000)
• Lexie Hull (protected rookie scale; $88,261)
• Katie Lou Samuelson (protected veteran; $180,250)
• Vicataria Saxton (unprotected; $66,710)
• NaLyssa Smith (protected rookie scale; $91,981)
• Kristy Wallace (protected rookie scale; $80,823)

Free agents (type; 2024 salary)

• Kelsey Mitchell (unrestricted; $212,000)
• Erica Wheeler (unrestricted; $202,154)

Total salary of free agents: $414,154

Total team salary: $849,461

Cap space: $657,639

2025 WNBA Draft picks (2024 salary)

• Round 1, No. 8 ($75,643)
• Round 2, No. 20 ($69,267)
• Round 3, No. 33 ($66,079)

Mitchell is an elite scorer—and should be brought back at all costs

Mark Smith-Imagn Images

Kelsey Mitchell is coming off the best season of her career, with career highs in points per game (19.2) and field goal percentage (46.8). And she capped it off with the first playoff appearance of her career. Mitchell waited seven long years for her first taste of postseason basketball, exhibiting incredible patience and resilience, which deserve to be rewarded. With Caitlin Clark handling the playmaking, Mitchell can pick her spots and develop into an even more dangerous scorer.

The Fever could then sign Natasha Howard, most recently of the Dallas Wings, to play the 4, draft Ajsa Sivka, a 6-foot-3 19-year-old Slovenian shooting sensation, and hope that their offense makes up for their defensive shortcomings. If the Fever choose to core Mitchell, she could make close to $250,000. Is she worth it? Yes. But, does the move make the most sense for the Fever? It depends.

The Fever also need defense!

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Last year, Lexie Hull was the Fever’s best perimeter defender. She handled the toughest defensive assignments on the wing, while also being a reliable 3-point scorer, which resulted in the best season of her pro career.

Despite Hull’s efforts, the Fever were second-to-last in defensive rating and opposition points per game. Imagine if, instead of bringing back Mitchell, the Fever decided to bring in new head coach Stephanie White’s old acquaintances: the WNBA power couple of DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas. Hull could be moved to the guard position, while NaLyssa Smith would come off the bench and get an advanced basketball education from some of the best forwards in the game.

*Thanks to Her Hoop Stats for all roster information and salary numbers.