The Indiana Fever was one of the eye-catching sides in the 2025 season, despite missing multiple star players. However, the 2026 season brings uncertainty to the roster, with multiple players entering free agency, including the MVP candidate Kelsey Mitchell.
During the exit interview, Mitchell expressed uncertainty about her future with the Indiana Fever amid free agency and the potential for a WNBA lockout. However, she now offered a ray of hope with her assessment of the situation and mentioned one condition that kept her in Indiana.
Kelsey Mitchell Organizes Her Priority
HC Stephanie White praised the former Ohio State player who carried the side on her back and reached the semifinals. She nearly secured the final place singlehandedly, but an injury kept her out of game 5, which impacted the result. The Fever fans and front office are willing to see her back in a Fever jersey, and here’s what she told Sue Bird about it.
“I think yes. The short of it is, the reality of it is yes.”… “I think [family] has to be first and foremost important for me, when I think about free agency. But on the flip side of things, knowing what Indiana means to me, it’s paramount, it’s huge,” Mitchell said.
Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird:
— Caitlin Clark News (@22CCnews) October 25, 2025
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On this week’s episode we welcome Indiana Fever point guard Kelsey Mitchell!
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“I think there’s so many what-ifs right now, Sue, with the CBA… It’s a lot of what-ifs. But I like to think that in the right realm of work, I can’t not not think about Indiana, you know? Like, I can’t not not think about Indiana. And on the other side of things, I gotta make sure I’m put in a position to take care of my family, or be there for my family. I also know that this is for my family, as well. So it’s a combination of both,” Mitchell added.
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As Stephanie White mentioned, Mitchell is the top priority for the management. With Aliyah Boston entering her final year of her rookie-scale contract, the team needs its core back to have a legitimate shot at the championship.
One positive aspect of the 29-year-old guard’s answer was her willingness to commit to the franchise, and another point to consider is her admiration for Caitlin Clark.
Kelsey Mitchell Credits Caitlin Clark For Her Special Quality
While it’s still unclear whether KM will stay with the Indiana franchise, she has certainly loved playing with Caitlin Clark so far. Speaking on Sue Bird’s podcast, she lauded the 2024 rookie, mentioning that the star never tried to take over the franchise and wanted to ‘mix well’ with the team.
“When something that big or someone that big who has that much impact comes into something, there are a lot of adjustments that the people have to make. The biggest part I respect about Caitlin (Clark) is that she was never bigger than the program. She wasn’t trying to take over,” Mitchell said.
People can keep pushing their weirdo narratives but it’s not going to work my backcourt is locked in 🤞🏼🫶🏼-
— Krys🫶🏼 (@GaterGoggles) October 24, 2025
Kelsey Mitchell on Caitlin Clark 🥹 pic.twitter.com/DX08UusYdE
While CC is also looking to continue her backcourt partnership with KM, the decision is ultimately up to the veteran guard, and she appears to have clarified her priorities.