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WNBA free agency is open, and the Indiana Fever are in a prime position to make some big moves.
This negotiation period, which runs Jan. 21-31, is the second stage of free agency. All teams sent out qualifying offers — including Indiana, which sent a core offer to Kelsey Mitchell — between Jan. 11-20. The final stage of free agency begins Feb. 1, when free agents can officially sign with teams.
Indiana is an enticing draw for many players; the Fever, with Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, are a team on the rise after making their first playoffs in seven years last season. Indiana is constructing a new $78 million practice facility, as well, that will open in 2027.
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There’s a lot of upside with the Fever, who have an experienced coach in Stephanie White and are ready to make the leap to one of the best teams in the league.
Here’s an overview of the players the Fever already have signed, Indiana’s cap space, and how much impact they can make with their remaining money:
Signed Indiana Fever players in 2025
The Fever have nine players under contract for the 2025 season, leaving three spots open on the roster.
(with player name, salary cap hit, percentage of team’s salary cap, protection status; contract terms per Spotrac)
Victaria Saxton: $66,710, 4.4%, unprotected rookie contractCaitlin Clark: $78,066, 5.2%, unprotected rookie contractGrace Berger: $79,999, 5.3%, unprotected rookie contractKristy Wallace: $80,823, 5.4%, protected club optionAliyah Boston: $83,371, 5.5%, unprotected rookie contractLexie Hull: $88,261, 5.9%, protected club optionNaLyssa Smith: $91,981, 6.1%, protected club optionDamiris Dantas: $100,000, 6.6%, protectedKatie Lou Samuelson: $180,250, 12.0%, protected
Total cap maximum: $1,507,100
Active cap (signed players): $849,461
Cap space: $657,639
Indiana Fever qualifying offers
The Fever extended a core qualifying offer to Kelsey Mitchell, which gives them exclusive negotiating rights in exchange for a super-maximum salary of $249,244, per Her Hoop Stats.
If Mitchell accepts the offer as is for the 2025 season, that will bring Indiana’s cap space down to $408,395. Mitchell could also negotiate a longer contract, a different salary or a trade to a different team.
Indiana Fever cap space options
Remaining cap space of $408,495 for two spots, assuming Mitchell accepts her core qualifying offer, is a good place to be at in free agency.
There are multiple ways the Fever could go about increasing their cap space, as well. They could waive players on unprotected contracts with no penalty, trade players or agree to a contract divorce with players on a protected salary.
Even with its current cap space, Indiana would be able to take a big swing for one of the top free agents in the market this offseason, like power forward Satou Sabally. Dallas has cored Sabally, but she has already told the Wings she will not return, and the two sides are working to find a new team for her.
The core designation would not follow Sabally from the Wings, but she will likely command a max salary of $214,466. She will also likely have multiple teams vying for her. If the Fever do not get Sabally, they will still have a chance (and the cap space) to sign another top player like forward Natasha Howard or Brionna Jones.
If Indiana could land Sabally (or another top free agent commanding a max salary), they would still have $194,129 left for another roster spot. That would be a good salary for a solid free agent that could upgrade the Fever’s starting lineup, and could even account for two players that would be good additions to the rotation.
