Fever Veteran Excluded in Protected Player List Speculation Posted Apparent Reaction

In Caitlin Clark’s rookie season, Indiana Fever guard Erica Wheeler faced a challenging adjustment as her role and playing time decreased despite being the team’s highest paid player.

Wheeler handled this transition gracefully and emerged as a veteran leader for the team, even publicly acknowledging her decreased production. With Clark expected to dominate playing time at Wheeler’s position, it’s unlikely that the former lead guard will be protected in the upcoming WNBA Expansion Draft.

Speculation arose after Indiana’s social media account hinted at changes for the upcoming season, potentially indicating that Wheeler may not be among the protected players. Fans speculated that a since-deleted post may have revealed the six players the team intends to protect, including Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, NaLyssa Smith, and Temi Fagbenle.

Wheeler seemed to address the speculation surrounding her exclusion with a social media post of her own, hinting at “solid picks to secure 🙃” on her X account.

It appears Wheeler was playfully engaging in the online discussion rather than taking things personally. The final roster decisions for the Fever remain uncertain, but the upcoming season promises to be an intriguing storyline to follow.