Indiana Fever’s depth kept them afloat in the grueling season as the side’s top players sat out due to injuries. HC Stephanie White praised the team’s chemistry and mentality, allowing them to fight against the odds. But now the reality will come fast at the franchise with Caitlin Clark entering the third year of her rookie contract and many vets also in the free agency.
Clark expressed gratitude for Kelsey Mitchell amid Indiana Fever departure rumors, which puts the side shorthanded at the back court again. There is a possible replacement in Aari McDonald, who will keep CC happy at the franchise.
Indiana Fever’s Sweating On Caitlin Clark’s Back-Court Partnerships
Injury hit the Indiana Fever hard, with most of its guards sidelined with injury for the whole season. While the 2024 rookie remains the focal point to build the roster around, the side is looking to provide her with a perfect partner for the 23-year-old star.
Although Amber Cox mentioned that Kelsey Mitchell is the front office’s primary target to re-sign in the offseason, for the backup role, Aari McDonald would be a perfect fit, who found a role in Stephanie White’s system.
The Athletic insider Sabreena Merchant has the first candidate for the guard position: Aari McDonald. “The defensive identity they leaned into with Odyssey Sims, with the replacement players they had to bring in like Aari McDonald and stuff, like that’s just a different team than the one with Caitlin Clark leading at point guard,” Merchant wrote.
the perfect missing piece.
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 4, 2025
during our five-game winning streak, Aari McDonald has been a driving force, averaging 14.0 points per game, including a career-high 27-point performance against the Mercury, as she continues to step up when it matters most. pic.twitter.com/GkPm5nUMOl
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The player had been an offensive powerhouse for the Fever team during CC’s absence and would fit the bill perfectly with her playmaking and scoring ability. She can also contribute on the defensive end.
As of now, multiple Indiana Fever players like Odyssey Sims, Bree Hall, Brianna Turner, and Sydney Colson are joining the AU league. Also, Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and Lexie Hull will play in the Unrivaled league, which will hand side to keep checks on players best suiting them in the upcoming season.
Caitlin Clark Gets Brutally Honest About The Offseason Trades
While many teams are already keeping their ‘blueprint’ for the offseason ready, the Indiana Fever had the highest number of players on the roster, with every player having an important role in the team. This made the decisions hard for the team. The former Iowa star understands the difficulty and accepts that the front office needs to be very diligent with its decision-making.
“Every player that’s come in and you especially, like you’ve made it so fun and we’ve loved having you. And, um, you know, obviously not everybody can stay cause we had 17 people on our team. So, no matter who it is, like, you know, you cherish those memories you got to spend with each other,” she said.
Talking to Aerial Powers on her Vlog, CC was honest with her answer as she expects a few departures on the roster for the upcoming season. It’s important to note that with the team’s top players like Aliyah Boston and Clark’s rookie contracts on the verge of expiring, the franchise needs to find the perfect roster to win a championship in 2026.