The Indiana Fever need to show that they are more than simply a one-hit wonder after an incredible season.
As the young pillars of the team, Indiana features two former WNBA Rookie of the Year award winners in Aliyah Boston (2023) and Caitlin Clark (2024). In order to restore a winning culture in the basketball state, they intend to construct around the two superstars.
They must act in order to go to the next phase. They had a lot of trouble early in the season, unable to settle into a rhythm with a number of important players. They also lacked veteran players and experience, which was a major factor in the Connecticut Sun eliminating them from the playoffs in the first round.
Indiana may strengthen itself with two crucial actions.
The Fever must maintain the forward power position.
Nalyssa Smith was playing well and appeared to be poised for a successful season at the beginning of the year, particularly during the preseason. Even though she started the majority of games, her scoring was erratic, and she had trouble playing defense to match the top players on the opposing team. Her minutes decreased as the season progressed.
Despite shooting just 29.2 percent from three-point range and 56.7 percent from the free throw line, she finished the game with an average of 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds. For Indiana, having a player who can improve floor spacing and be a perimeter threat from the power forward position could be crucial.
It’s also important to remember that Smith has struggled with the Fever ever since the season started. She liked a post in the first half of the game that complimented her on having a “walking double-double last year” and chastised Christie Sides, her head coach, for not giving her enough playing time and attention to her play. After Smith deleted the team tag from her Instagram bio, trade speculations about her began to circulate.
They can therefore lose Smith, but they also lost Temi Fagbenle, a reliable defender and valuable striker, for much of the campaign. She was sidelined by three separate ailments this season, and she only managed to appear in 22 games. She is a restricted free agent this offseason; if she chooses to rejoin the Fever and can maintain her health, Indiana stands to gain.
Indiana may want to recruit a few important power forwards who are unrestricted free agents this offseason. Given that she won defensive player of the year and has developed into one of the WNBA’s finest power forwards, Natasha Howard might be mentioned on the list. She played in 27 games for the Dallas Wings last season, averaging 17.6 points and 6.7 rebounds despite missing six weeks due to injury.
Also an unrestricted free agent, Nneka Ogqumike would be a valuable addition to the Fever if they were able to sign her. This season, the Seattle Storm averaged 16.7 points and 7.6 rebounds, led by the 2016 WNBA MVP. She’s also been on the West Coast her entire career, but she might come to the Midwest to play with a young core.
Indiana has to find a more capable power forward and someone whose game complements Aliyah Boston’s more.
The Fever’s roster needs to be more diverse.
Christie Sides, the head coach, was starting three players off the bench every game during the previous campaign. While Clark said that she can sprint whenever necessary, she and the other starters will undoubtedly run out of gas towards the end of the season. Fever starters averaged 35 or more minutes per game. Indiana would frequently run into foul trouble, at which point it would become a major problem.
To start, the Fever ought to make an effort to re-sign Erica Wheeler in order to benefit from her experience and have a player who is constantly prepared to come off the bench. She is a veteran player for the Fever and can offer guidance and support to a youthful squad. Kia Nurse, who has six years of WNBA experience, is an additional choice. She can blend in incredibly well with Kelsey Mitchell’s playing style.
Alysha Clark would be a tremendous addition for Indiana because she can play the forward slot and fits in well, even though it may not be probable that they can snag her. She may contribute her experience and prior domination in the league as a veteran as well. She was a vital member of the Las Vegas Aces team last season, averaging a respectable 6.0 points and 3.6 rebounds.
The Fever’s skill at selecting players in the WNBA draft is evident. The depth problem can potentially be solved by adding another important young rookie to the roster for the upcoming campaign. A talent like UCLA’s Janiah Barker may be a draft pick. Boston may be paired with another youthful, potent forward who commands attention in the paint. She made a solid 23 of 67 3-pointers last season, averaging 12.2 points and 7.6 rebounds.
If Azzi Fudd is selected in the draft, Indiana might choose to select her as well. She averaged 13.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 42 collegiate games. Despite her health issues, she may be a valuable asset to Indiana and a great long-term guard partner alongside Clark.
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