Caitlin Clark might soon find herself clutching her basketball tighter than ever, not just to make buzzer-beaters but to stave off the creeping loneliness that could hit the Indiana Fever roster. The shadow of free agency is looming, and with it comes the potential loss of a vital teammate: Kelsey Mitchell, a sharpshooter and Clark’s proverbial Robin last season.
Yes, Mitchell—the backbone of the Fever since being drafted in 2018—is now poised to make her grand entrance into the world of free agency. The veteran guard, who’s endured more losing seasons than she cares to count, is keeping everyone guessing about her next move. “I’ll be honest, I don’t know what colors I’ll be wearing next year,” Mitchell told The Players’ Tribune. And just like that, the WNBA’s offseason became a reality show worth binge-watching.
Mitchell’s Free Agency Debut: A Plot Twist in the Making
While Mitchell is currently lighting up the court for the Shanxi Flame in China, Fever fans are left biting their nails. The two-time All-Star has never dipped her toes into free agency waters, and she seems eager to dive in headfirst. “I’ve never been through free agency, so I’m looking forward to the opportunity to explore that for the first time in my career,” she said. Translation: She’s ready to swipe right on some new opportunities.
But hold on, Indiana isn’t rolling over that easily. Fever senior advisor Linn Dunn and Basketball Ops head Kelly Krauskopf are already scheming to keep Mitchell in their orbit. Krauskopf even said, “It would be sort of irresponsible of me if we didn’t utilize the opportunity to core her.” Basically, they’re holding onto Mitchell like she’s the last slice of pizza at a team dinner.
CBA Shenanigans: Players Playing Chess, Not Checkers
Adding spice to this free-agency drama is the upcoming renegotiation of the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement in 2025. Players in the know (hint: Mitchell) are angling for short-term deals that will let them cash in big once the new CBA rolls out its perks in 2026. It’s like everyone’s waiting for the buffet to open, and Mitchell might just be holding out for the best seat at the table.
What This Means for Caitlin Clark
If Mitchell does decide to bolt, Clark might find herself in a one-woman show next season. Sure, she’s a star, but even stars need constellations, right? The Fever’s front office is fighting hard to ensure that doesn’t happen, but Mitchell’s future remains a tantalizing mystery.
For now, all eyes are on Mitchell, the Fever, and whether Clark’s team can avoid becoming a one-hit wonder. Let’s hope the Fever’s management can pull a rabbit out of their hat—or at least a contract out of their files—before this free-agency circus hits its peak.
Stay tuned, WNBA fans. This offseason just turned into a soap opera, and we’re here for every twist and turn.
