In the land of the WNBA, where player drafts can trigger more excitement than the latest reality TV drama, veteran analyst Jason Whitlock has thrown his hat into the ring, dropping his picks for the six Indiana Fever players who absolutely must be protected from the clutches of the Golden State Valkyries. Yes, you heard it right. The Fever are in protection mode, and Whitlock thinks he’s got the golden list for them.
With the Valkyries’ expansion draft just around the corner on December 6, Whitlock doesn’t mince words—he’s all about locking down Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, Erica Wheeler, and Dantas. (Yeah, that last one raised a few eyebrows.) So, let’s break it down and see if we agree with Mr. Hot Takes himself.
The Fever’s ‘Save Me at All Costs’ Crew
Unsurprisingly, the golden child of WNBA’s future, Caitlin Clark, is the first name out of Whitlock’s mouth. Honestly, if the Fever didn’t put Clark on their protected list, they might as well hand over the keys to the franchise. Clark, Boston, and Mitchell? That’s the core that made Fever fans feel something they haven’t in years—hope.
Aliyah Boston’s pick makes just as much sense. She’s the muscle of the squad and one of the main reasons Indiana finally snapped its eight-year playoff drought in 2024. Kelsey Mitchell, the vet who could’ve walked as an unrestricted free agent this offseason, has earned her spot too. Even if she’s browsing Zillow for beachside properties, the Fever won’t let her go without a fight.
The ‘Wait, What?’ Picks
But then we get into spicy territory—Dantas over Temi Fagbenle? Really, Whitlock? Are you throwing darts at a roster in the dark? Fans on social media went full “uhm, Jason, explain yourself” mode. One X (formerly Twitter) user bluntly asked, “Ew, over Temi? Convince me, @WhitlockJason.”
Hey, every great list needs some controversy to fuel the comment section, right? And if Jason Whitlock’s good at one thing, it’s lighting that fire.
Fan Reactions: Whitlock the Genius or Whitlock the Dreamer?
Fever fans, being their passionate selves, didn’t hold back. A good chunk of them agreed with Whitlock’s core picks. “Solid core!” one fan posted. Another chimed in with a “Totally agree, that’s the group we need to build around!” Meanwhile, others weren’t thrilled about the idea of leaving NaLyssa Smith and Temi out in the cold. But hey, that’s the beauty of the WNBA—every move feels personal, and every fan believes they’re the real GM.
What’s Next?
With the Fever expected to finalize their protected player list roughly 10 days before the draft (give or take the usual WNBA curveball), the countdown to Valkyrie madness is on. Who knows? Maybe Whitlock’s right. Or maybe, just maybe, we’ll all be staring at the screen on draft day, wondering how on Earth we missed the most obvious choice.
Either way, the Indiana Fever’s future is looking hotter than a fever, and this draft is shaping up to be one for the history books.
So, Indiana Fever fans, get ready to protect those Twitter handles—draft night will either have you celebrating or rage-tweeting like there’s no tomorrow.
