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Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever given grim free-agency projection

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Jan 21, 2025 8:26 PM ET

The WNBA announced on Tuesday that teams are now officially allowed to negotiate with players ahead of the opening of the free agency window on Feb 1.

This only means that teams such as the Indiana Fever can start making moves as they look to improve their roster around Caitlin Clark ahead of the 2025 season.

According to a new piece by WNBA reporter Sabreena Merchant of The Athletic, however, things are not looking very optimistic for the Fever in terms of their free agency projection.

In fact, Merchant believes that the Fever will "strike out in free agency."

There's no denying that Indiana has become one of, if not the most attractive destination for free agents. Clark's surge as one of the top and most exciting players in the league right now obviously has a lot to do with the same.

Then again, Merchant points out that whoever ends up signing with the Fever will likely command a limited role alongside Clark and fellow All-Stars Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell (if she returns in free agency).

Dallas Wings star Satou Sabally has been identified as a potential free agent target for Indiana, but Merchant isn't convinced that the Fever will be able to land the highly sought-after forward. The reporter argues that a trade would be the best path for Indiana.

"It’s risky to trade for Sabally for one season, and talk around the league is that Indiana is not one of Sabally’s preferred markets," Merchant wrote. "If I were in the Fever front office, I would still offer Lexie Hull, NaLyssa Smith and a pick for Sabally, but I would understand the reticence."

Players such as Nneka Ogwumike, Brionna Jones and Natasha Howard were named as potential Plan B options if the Sabally chase falls through. However, Merchant also noted that all three aforementioned targets are "less-than-ideal fits."

"The Fever have enough money to give out a one-year maximum contract, but the bet is that their targets will go elsewhere," Merchant concluded.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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