The Indiana Fever secured Kelsey Mitchell to a supermax contract and also added Lexie Hull to keep their 2024 core intact for the upcoming season. Picking the top performers of the 2025 season, the side also re-signed Sophie Cunningham on a one-year deal. But one of the biggest coups that the Fever front office managed was signing Monique Billings in free agency.
While multiple franchises are adding top talent to their rosters to compete in the 2026 season, the Indiana Fever turned the league upside down by adding Golden State Valkyries’ megastar and top performer in free agency.
Monique Billings Joins Indiana Fever
After spending one season with the expansion team, the Golden State Valkyries, the former UCLA star switched to the Fever. Earlier, she dropped a hint with a cryptic message on social media. While many Fever fans welcomed her in the comments, the team finalized the deal on Sunday.
According to reports, the Fever handed the 29-year-old star a multi-year deal, showing long-term trust in the forward. During her time at the Valkyries, she posted averages of 7.3 points and 4.5 rebounds over 26 games and will look to improve on those numbers playing alongside familiar point guards – Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell.
Mo 🤝 Indiana pic.twitter.com/eBg73mwqxf
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 11, 2026
Indiana will be Billings’ fifth WNBA team since joining the league in 2018. Billings addition takes the Fever’s layer count to nine players with Th Harris, Lexie Hull, Sophie Cunningham and Damaris Dantas also joining the mix.
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The player is basically a replacement for the Fever’s veteran star Natasha Howard, who was instrumental in the Commissioner’s Cup championship run and also won the MVP Award.
Monique Billings To Out Shine Natash Howard?
While Aliyah Boston remains the key contributor and essential member of the Fever franchise, the team is looking to provide her with support around the rim, as Makayla Timpson has yet to develop into an elite star.
The California-born star is at the moment the first option to partner AB at the rim, taking the place of Natasha Howard, but it could be an upgrade on a veteran forward in multiple ways. While Howard was a slow rim runner, Billings provides elite athleticism and transition speed that perfectly complements Caitlin Clark’s fast-paced playstyle. Her greatest strength lies in her ability to run the floor; shooting over 80% at the rim in 2025, she serves as a premier target for full-court outlet passes.
already building chemistry 🧪
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 11, 2026
Monique Billings put in work alongside Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell this offseason.
🎥: USA Basketball & Unrivaled pic.twitter.com/w4CQraGYM0
Beyond scoring, Billings brings a much-needed veteran toughness to the interior. Her defensive versatility allows her to switch onto quicker guards or battle physical post players, while her rebounding rate, averaging nearly nine boards per 36 minutes, bolsters a frontcourt that has occasionally struggled with consistency.
Howard was a better defender than Billings, but now Boston has also developed into a top defender and even won an award in the Unrivaled league. By providing reliable mid-range spacing and high-energy rim protection, Billings transforms the Fever into a more balanced, physically imposing contender in the Eastern Conference.