The Indiana Fever are heading into a crucial offseason after reaching the WNBA playoff semi-finals. A new collective bargaining agreement was agreed upon by the WNBA and players’ union on March 18, setting the stage for a busy month of team building. This includes free agency, the expansion draft, and the rookie entry draft.
The Fever have three players currently under contract for the 2026 season: Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, and Makayla Timpson. Free agency will be important for Indiana, like all teams in the league. Having two of their three core players already contracted gives them an advantage.
Fever’s Free Agency Priorities
Kelsey Mitchell is set to be “priority No. 1” for Indiana in free agency for the second consecutive season.
Mitchell was signed by Indiana on a core contract for the 2025 season, giving her an automatic supermax salary of around $250,000. Under the old CBA, players are eligible to be cored, which is a supermax contract in exchange for exclusive negotiating rights, for two seasons.
The new CBA includes a change to the core designation. Only players with under six years of service will be eligible to be cored. This rule will begin with the 2027 season, meaning the Fever can core Mitchell in 2026. That would give Mitchell an automatic $1.4 million supermax and allow Indiana to retain her rights for another year.
Navigating the Expansion Draft
Indiana is in a favourable position regarding the expansion draft for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire.
While the number of players existing teams can protect is unknown, the Fever will likely be able to protect its three players under contract, as well as two others. Potential players to protect include Kelsey Mitchell or Lexie Hull, who they could target in free agency.
Sophie Cunningham’s Future
Sophie Cunningham, an unrestricted free agent in 2026, made an immediate impact after being traded from Phoenix in 2025. As the Fever’s starting wing, Cunningham averaged 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds. She also filled a role as the team’s “enforcer”, but her first year in Indiana was hampered by an ankle injury at the beginning of the season, then an MCL tear in August. Cunningham still frequently referred to the 2025 season as the best of her career.
Lexie Hull’s Potential Return
Lexie Hull, whose rookie contract just finished after being drafted at No. 6 in 2022, has expressed interest in returning to the Fever. Hull’s role evolved over her four years. She went from a player at the end of the bench to a pivotal rotational player, to a starting wing with a strong 3-point clip.
Hull provides depth in the middle of the lineup, as she can play the 2, 3 and the 4 when needed. She is also a strong defender. Hull is a restricted free agent in 2026, meaning the
With coach Stephanie White entering her second year, the Fever will aim to build around their core.