The 2024 WNBA season’s greatest story was the Indiana Fever.
They led one of the league’s largest turnarounds this past season, which was partly due to the emergence of teenage sensation Caitlin Clark.
Just one year after finishing last in the Eastern Conference and owning the first overall selection, Indiana, who had been developing and becoming better over the past two seasons, ended up in the playoffs in 2024.
Being a better club, though, comes with a bittersweet taste since other teams in the league try to develop themselves by stealing branches from your tree.
Due to the uncertainty surrounding the head coach, all three of the Fever’s free agents this offseason may be in danger of departing the team.
Let’s examine the players that might not return for Indiana in the upcoming season:
3. Mitchell, Kelsey
Due to her contract year, Kelsey Mitchell was an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2024 WNBA season. Since she didn’t have a long-term contract with the Fever, she is free to explore the free agency market without any limitations.
With career-highs in points per game and field goal %, 2024 was Mitchell’s finest season to date. In addition, she posted her second-highest rebounding and 3-point percentage performances and had the fewest turnovers per game in her seven seasons.
Mitchell became well-known in the backcourt with her running partner, Caitlin Clark, but the former Ohio State Buckeye could choose to take on a more prominent position and represent a different team.
As long as she stays in Indianapolis, Clark will undoubtedly be the face of the Fever, so Mitchell has a rare chance to capitalize on her fame and serve as the driving force behind a WNBA team that could need it.
The Fever are unable to match another team’s offer in order to keep her because she is not a restricted free agent. Given everything she has contributed to the squad, they will need to clearly outbid rival teams and present a strong argument to maintain her as the backup, which might be difficult.
After going through four coaching changes in her first six seasons, she is currently in her fifth season with the same team. Despite her unwavering devotion to the Fever, Mitchell may leave this summer if the head coach doesn’t come up with a suitable replacement.
2. Fagbenle Temi
This summer, Temi Fagbenle will be a restricted free agent, but it’s unclear how valuable she will be. Depending on the coach, Indiana might not feel compelled to resign her, but the Fever will have the opportunity to match any offer she receives from another team.
After missing all four of the previous seasons’ WNBA games, Fagbenle saw a slight comeback in 2024. She did, however, play the most minutes per game during her career, which led to her greatest statistical results in the W in all five key categories.
However, a new coach may allow Fagbenle to enter free agency and try to get a player with more WNBA experience and a little more dynamism. Indiana needs experience next to Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, especially if someone like Kelsey Mitchell departs, as Fagbenle has only been in 91 games since being selected in the 2016 NFL Draft.
I wouldn’t bet on Fagbenle being with the Fever for the upcoming season; that will depend on the new coach. She could play a smaller part if she returns.
1. Wheeler, Erica
This summer, Erica Wheeler is a free agent without restrictions. She is now playing with the Indiana Fever for the second time. Nobody should be surprised to see her traveling again because she has been a bit of a nomad during her ten-year WNBA career.
Wheeler participated in 39 of the Fever’s 40 games this season, although her statistical performance was the poorest since her rookie campaign in 2015.
The 33-year-old may be close to retiring, or she may attempt to prolong her erratic career by one or two years. In any case, a seasoned player like him is unlikely to keep a position on the roster given Indiana’s changing of the guard.
The Fever need a senior presence on the court, particularly someone who can contribute to the defensive side of the ball, while another club could prefer a seasoned presence to instruct some of the younger players from the sidelines.
Wheeler’s finest days are over, and even though she made good contributions the previous season, she could be leaving this summer.
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