The CBA talks have gone cold, with no updates since the extension expired. Till then, the WNBA & WNBPA reach an agreement on free agency moratorium. Though this gives the franchises time to work on their board, looking at the free agency, draft and also the expansion draft. Many teams have their eyes set on their core players’ retention, like the Fever, who are looking to re-sign Kelsey Mitchell in free agency.
As for the Indiana Fever, the side will have to dig deep to decide which players they want to protect and also plan for the free agency, like they secured top players a season ago. A WNBA analyst put forward a similar proposal to the Fever front office.
Curious Case About Kelsey Mitchell’s Re-Signing Decision
The Indiana Fever fanbase wants to see the same team playing in the 2026 season, with healthy Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham returning to the lineup. Many stars elevated their games to showcase their capability, and fans believe that the return of CC and Cunningham would guarantee a championship.
One important change in the scenario, though, is that many of the Fever players are free agents, including KM, Lexie Hull, Aari McDonald, and Cunningham. As per Stephanie White, the priority is Mitchell.
our MVP, Kelsey Mitchell:
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) September 11, 2025
✍️ first player in franchise history to have a 20+ PPG season
✍️ first guard in WNBA history to have a 850+ PTS & 150+ AST season
✍️ first in 3PM this season (111)
✍️ third in PPG this season (20.2)
✍️ 6th on single-season scoring list in WNBA history… pic.twitter.com/NL6K0BYLo5
A WNBA analyst breaks down the pros and cons of signing the last season’s top scorer. As for pros, the player’s quality, chemistry, fan support, and impact are undeniable. Mitchell carried the team to the semifinal and is one of the key players in White’s offense.
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There are a few downsides, though, according to the analyst: signing Mitchell. The first one is her defense, when the player is a below-average defender at the position in the league. The second one is the available options. With players like Kahleah Copper and Jackie Young available in the market, going for Mitchell would be a ‘bad’ idea, as their defense would make the Fever more well-rounded and less reliant on winning their games via shootout.
There is no doubt that Kelsey Mitchell’s future with the Indiana Fever hangs in the balance amid WNBA CBA negotiations; the franchise needs to go for a better option to ensure winnability.
While the above aspects are from Fever’s point of view, the player also has a major say in the signing, and she has already made her decision clear.
Kelsey Mitchell’s Condition For Her Next Franchise
The player is one of the hottest free agents in the WNBA free agency at the moment with her ‘MVP-estique’ performance in the 2025 season. While every franchise will look to add a player of her caliber to the roster, she opened up about her choice and the deciding factor.
On Sue Bird’s podcast, Mitchell addressed the point and said, “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.”
Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird:
— Caitlin Clark News (@22CCnews) October 25, 2025
Kelsey Mitchell on Her Leg Injury and the Indiana Fever’s Impressive Playoff Run
On this week’s episode we welcome Indiana Fever point guard Kelsey Mitchell!
To begin the episode Sue and Tommy Alter discuss some of the greatest college players of… pic.twitter.com/KOj6iC3Ced
One key point about her answer was her willingness to rejoin the franchise she loves the most. It will be hard to see her play against the Indiana team, as the front office needs to handle the business deliberately, balancing the team’s needs and reviewing all the choices.