Caitlin Clark, Fever predicted to suffer major free agency setback in latest WNBA insider projections

Caitlin Clark’s rookie season surpassed even the loftiest of expectations.

Rookie of the Year? Check. First-team All-WNBA? Check. Single season assists record? Check. Indiana’s first playoff appearance since 2016? Check. She 

Its a critical offseason for a Fever team with eyes on a much bigger prize in Year 2 of the Caitlin Clark era. After hiring former Connecticut Sun coach Stephanie White to replace Christie Sides, the franchise turned its attention towards free agency which begins on February 1.

With a new TV deal on the way amidst rising ratings, there’s a clear expectation that salaries will soar in 2026. Long story short? Expect a bunch of one-year deals with most players waiting to cash in next offseason.

MORE: Clark named SN 2024 Female Athlete of the Year

As stated by Fever GM Amber Cox in November, “Kelsey Mitchell is our top priority heading into free agency.” Mitchell is in the thick of her prime and alongside Clark, forms perhaps the league’s most dynamic backcourt. Assuming they re-sign Mitchell — Indiana is the only team that can offer her a single-year supermax — the rest is all about filling the gaps, particularly on the wings and on the defensive end.

In theory, the Fever should be one of the league’s most free-agent attractive destinations. 

Few teams, if any, can match the opportunity to play on an ascending team in front of packed crowds every night alongside the league’s best passer and a dominant post player in Aliyah Boston. Even after signing Mitchell, the Fever have enough space left over to extend a one-year maximum offer which means they should be in the mix.

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And yet if Mitchell returns, its a top-heavy roster that could make Indiana a more difficult sell for established stars.

According to The Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant, this is Indiana’s conundrum. “Free agents aren’t typically looking to be the third option (at best).”

“There also isn’t a perfect fit for what the Fever require in this free agency class, unless they can trade for Satou Sabally. She could toggle between playing the three and four, providing the necessary defense and spacing to surround Clark and Boston. It’s risky to trade for Sabally for one season, and talk around the league is that Indiana is not one of Sabally’s preferred markets.”

If the Fever can’t swing a trade for Sabally, whom Merchant predicts will land in New York, she lists Nneka Ogwumike, Brionna Jones and Natasha Howard as potential free agent targets. Ultimately, Merchant has the Fever striking out on all three.

While none would be the perfect fit, coming away empty handed — or instead opting to add around the margins — would represent treading water at a time when the Fever should be loading up to compete with the likes of New York, Minnesota, Connecticut and Las Vegas.

And yes, treading water right now qualifies as a flop.

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