The 2026 free agency is weeks away, and a few teams are ready with their ‘proposed speeches’ for the free agents. But this year, there would be nearly every veteran star in the free agency, allowing the sides to pick their stars, suiting their requirements. One such star who could be on the wish-list of many franchises is Kelsey Mitchell.
The 29-year-old guard was the key reason for the Indiana Fever’s surge in the 2025 postseason. Many expected her to say positive words for the team she put her heart on her sleeve in the 2025 season. Still, in the exit interview, Mitchell expressed uncertainty about her future with the Indiana Fever amid free agency and potential WNBA lockout. This opened a door for many hopefuls to put her as their prime target.
Two WNBA Sides That Best Suit Kelsey Mitchell If She Leaves Indiana Fever
Watching the 2018 Fever rookie in any other franchise would be a heartbreaking sight for any Indiana basketball fan. But having an ‘unhappy’ player on the roster is far dangerous than allowing them to play for any other franchise. While there is no such scenario that would upset KM, if the deal doesn’t go through with the Fever, she could shine for two contender teams – Dallas Wings and Seattle Storm.
The Wings are already loaded with the guards, but Arike Ogwumike’s inconsistency is a big issue for them, and they could use KM as SG alongside Paige Bueckers. The dynamic duo could terrorize any defensive lineup, handing the Wings an option to invest more on the defensive end.
25 minutes of Kelsey Mitchell's best highlights this season 🍿 pic.twitter.com/XIlrG4y23T
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) October 13, 2025
The Seattle Storm is an even more intriguing option as the franchise is building around a forward, Dominique Malonga, who will complement Mitchell’s style of play. Moreover, their stars at the guard position are unrestricted free agents, and it’s unclear whether they will be back with the franchise or not. This will put the three-time All-Star as the focal point of offense and rebuilding plans.
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While every franchise would love to have a player of Mitchell’s quality on its roster, it’s important to know what KM will do in the next few weeks once the negotiation talks start. But Fever must be ready for any situation in 2026.
Indiana Fever Must Keep ‘Plan B’ Ready For Kelsey Mitchell
The Fever GM insisted that the front office’s focus is on keeping its core intact, and that includes re-signing Mitchell in the offseason. They achieved their goal in the 2025 offseason, but if they could miss out this time, there has to be a ‘Plan B’ to fill the void.
The first in-house option is to re-sign Aari McDonald to keep Caitlin Clark happy. The player proved to be a worthy addition in the 2025 season and could well be an essential factor in the upcoming seasons, also.
Another shrewd option is to go for another superstar guard, like Jackie Young, who could swiftly fill in for Mitchell and even prove handy on the defensive end. For the Indiana side, winning the 2026 championship is important as Aliyah Boston is entering her final year of the rookie contract, and a title will help them keep the former South Carolina star happy and entice her to extend her contract.