NEXT MOVES TO MOVE THE NEEDLE 4 THE INDIANA FEVER

WRITTEN + EDITED BY JORDYN BONTRAGER

The Amber Cox reign running the show with the Indiana Fever is off to a scalding start.

The team’s new GM made her first official roster transaction in re-upping Fever lifer Kelsey Mitchell. While obvious, that choice was a great showing of loyalty. Her first official roster change came early this morning, with former Fever forward + 3x WNBA champ Natasha Howard returning to her roots. With NaLyssa Smith seemingly unhappy in the Circle City, there was a glaring need for reinforcements at the power forward position. This move was a message to the fanbase that Cox understands what this team needs. Her second official shake up came just a few hours ago when news broke that Indiana was acquiring wing Sophie Cunningham in a three-way trade with Phoenix and Dallas (whom acquired the disgruntled Smith). This move was a message to the fanbase that this team means business.

In Cunningham, the Fever get a scrappy 6’1” vet who hits shots (career 36.2% 3FG) and gets after it defensively. Her and Lexie Hull are both ideal fits to play next to Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, and will likely split most of the small forward minutes + defend the opposition’s primary perimeter threat.

In Howard, the Fever get a proven champion who stays active on both ends of the floor at all times she is on it. Her outside shot is a bit on the shaky side, but she is a sneaky good passer + steady source of energy. Her presence will alleviate a lot of pressure from Aliyah Boston’s shoulders on the boards.

Do not look now, but the Indiana Fever are knocking on the doorstep of contention.

Here is a formula for the next sequence of moves to catapult them into a potential juggernaut this season.

FA SIGNING #2 | KIA NURSE | LA | 6’0” | 181 LBS | 28 YRS

TRADE #2 | KRISTY WALLACE + VICTARIA SAXTON + 2025 R2:P18 + 2025 R3:P33 TO ANY WNBA TEAM FOR 1-2X FUTURE DRAFT PICK(S)

FA SIGNING #3 | CHEYENNE PARKER | ATLANTA | 6’4” | 193 LBS | 32 YRS

FA SIGNING #4 | SAMI WHITCOMB | SEATTLE | 5’10” | 149 LBS | 36 YRS

Caitlin Clark is going to have the ball in her hands most of the time she is on the floor, and ideally you want to surround her (+ secondary facilitator Mitchell) with versatile wing 3&D players (Hull, Cunningham), etc). With that in mind, it would not hurt to add another trusted vet like Kia Nurse to flank Caitlin and spare the aforementioned wing duo spot minutes harassing opposing scorers. She is only a 32.4% shooter from distance thus far in her six year career, but she has also never suited up next to a player who required as much gravity as her new hypothetical comrade Clark. She would have many, many more open looks, which could/should/would naturally translate to a possible career season for the former Spark.

With all due respect to Kristy Wallace and Victaria Saxton, they do not really seem to fit into this team’s future equation. The tandem could be packaged with the Fever’s newly acquired R2:P18 from the Cunningham exchange. Realistically, shipping them out would be about freeing up a few roster spots, and garnering that flexibility would give them the freedom to turn around and sprinkle a few more battle-tested veterans into the mix.

Cheyenne Parker could be a frontcourt spark plug for this squad, and while slender can effectively hold her own at the center spot when (briefly) needed. With Damiris Dantas + Katie Lou Samuelson back to provide further frontcourt support/spacing the roster would have no shortage of size.

Finally, 2x WNBA champ Sami Whitcomb would unlock an even further layer of depth. She might not be the most explosive playmaker, but she gets scrappy defensively and shoots with confidence (career 36.1% shooter from 3). The Fever should hopefully be looking to give Grace Berger at least a small shot to run backup PG minutes, right? Regardless of which guard won the battle for backup backcourt minutes, simply having them both available would be nice. They each bring their own separate skillsets to the table.

Look at the depth chart below and tell yourself there is a better one in the league. You just lied to yourself.

PG | CAITLIN CLARK, SAMI WHITCOMB, GRACE BERGER

SG | KELSEY MITCHELL, KIA NURSE

SF | LEXIE HULL, SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM

PF | NATASHA HOWARD, CHEYENNE PARKER, KATIE LOU SAMUELSON

C | ALIYAH BOSTON, DAMIRIS DANTAS