Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever made a significant impact in the WNBA last season, finishing with a 20-20 record and reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Despite being eliminated in the first round, the team re-signed star scorer Kelsey Mitchell and added WNBA All-Star DeWanna Bonner and other players to revamp the roster. The Fever now have the fourth-best odds to win the 2025 title but face future uncertainties, as most players will be free agents after the season. Clark remains the only player under contract beyond 2025, highlighting potential roster challenges ahead.
Last season, Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever surprised WNBA enthusiasts.
Indiana ended the season with a 20-20 record, marking their playoff return for the first time since 2016. Although they faced elimination by the Connecticut Sun in the first round, Clark and the Fever left a significant impact on the league standings.
Following a stronger year for the Fever, they underwent several roster adjustments.
The team re-signed one of the WNBA’s leading scorers, Kelsey Mitchell, but opted not to keep several other players, including NaLyssa Smith and Katie Lou Samuelson.
Throughout the WNBA offseason, the Fever have revamped their roster, introducing several new players, notably WNBA All-Star DeWanna Bonner.
Additionally, Indiana has brought in Sophie Cunningham, Sydney Colson, Natasha Howard, Brianna Turner, and Jillian Alleyne.
With this lineup, the Indiana Fever are currently positioned with the fourth-best odds to claim the WNBA title for the 2025 season, listed at +380, following behind the New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, and Minnesota Lynx, according to FanDuel.
While the Fever are poised to create significant impact in 2025, there are potential issues on the horizon.
A post shared in the “Indiana Fever fans (official)” group on Facebook highlighted an intriguing aspect regarding the franchise’s future.
Caitlin Clark stands as the only player under contract with the Fever beyond the 2025 season. Although the team’s talent is impressive in the WNBA, most players will enter free agency at the end of the season.
Many players from this year’s Fever roster, including DeWanna Bonner and Kelsey Mitchell, will be unrestricted free agents. Meanwhile, former first overall pick Aliyah Boston will have a club option, allowing the Fever to extend her rookie contract.
The Fever will enter the 2025 WNBA draft with this framework. According to the Facebook post, selecting Lucy Olsen, a guard from the Iowa Hawkeyes, with the No. 19 overall pick could be an excellent strategy for Indiana.
This addition would alleviate some offensive pressure from Clark and establish Indiana’s backcourt for the future.
After revealing that many from this year’s roster will be unrestricted free agents, fans voiced their concerns on social media regarding the Fever’s future.
“Yes, next season’s rosters will be adjusted as salaries increase, but the salary cap will also rise. In my opinion, roster decisions will largely depend on players’ preferences rather than limitations on which teams can afford them,” remarked one fan.
“This situation applies to all WNBA teams. Every player not on a rookie contract will be a free agent after this season due to the new CBA set to take effect,” noted another fan.
“With the new CBA, Clark could also become a free agent. We’ll just have to wait and see how everything unfolds,” suggested another fan.
“Smart players will collaborate to create a legacy team instead of chasing the highest bids. At least that’s my two cents… let’s see how it plays out after the season,” commented one supporter.
“I hope that in the coming years, WNBA players’ salaries will reflect the respect they deserve,” expressed a fan.
“I want to keep the current team intact year after year and hope no one ages or retires, EVER,” stated another fan.
Lexie Hull and Kristy Wallace will also have special status as restricted free agents, allowing the Indiana Fever the opportunity to match any offers from other teams.
Clark and the Fever are set to kick off the 2025 WNBA season on May 17 against Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky.