Determining the future of superstar guard Kelsey Mitchell will likely be the first order of business for the Indiana Fever in WNBA free agency.
With the new WNBA collective bargaining agreement now finalized, the Indiana Fever can begin shaping their offseason plans.
This won’t be a typical offseason, either. More than 100 players are set to hit free agency in April, including a large portion of Indiana’s roster. Before addressing outside additions or internal moves, however, the team’s top priority is resolving the situation with Kelsey Mitchell.
Mitchell was also a free agent last year, when the Fever used the core designation to retain her. That option could again serve as a short-term solution — and it carries added significance this time.
Beginning in 2027, players with seven or more years of experience will no longer be eligible to be cored, which applies to Mitchell. For now, though, Indiana can still use that designation, which would keep her on a one-year, $1.4 million supermax deal.
It’s unclear whether Mitchell would accept that route, as she has earned the ability to seek a long-term max contract. Still, given the uncertainty surrounding recent CBA negotiations, she could be open to delaying a bigger decision until next offseason.
From the Fever’s perspective, this approach could help manage the salary cap. Aliyah Boston is now eligible for a max deal, while Caitlin Clark can reach that level earlier than expected due to the new “EPIC” (Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract) provision. This rule allows players who earn All-WNBA honors on rookie deals to sign a three-year max extension instead of completing the fourth year of that contract.
Looking ahead, keeping Mitchell, Clark, and Boston together long term would require max contracts for all three — a commitment that would take up more than half of the salary cap. Even in 2026, with Clark still on her rookie deal, the trio could account for nearly 50% of the league’s $7 million cap if Boston opts into her new max eligibility.
Fever Previously Called Mitchell Top Priority
Kelsey Mitchell has spent her entire career with the Indiana Fever and played a key role in pushing the team to within one game of the WNBA Finals during an injury-plagued 2025 season. Given her impact, it’s no surprise the franchise is eager to keep the dynamic scoring guard.
Back in October, general manager Amber Cox made that clear, saying the team’s top priority was ensuring Mitchell remained in a Fever uniform.
Still, Mitchell’s own preferences will be a major factor, and it remains to be seen whether her outlook — or the team’s — has shifted now that the details of the new CBA are in place.
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