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2 Players Fever must keep with Caitlin Clark, 1 player they may lose begrudgingly

The Fever have questions to answer

By Joey Mistretta

Sep 13, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) comforts Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) after a foul call Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Sep 13, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) comforts Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) after a foul call Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images / Grace Smith/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
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The Indiana Fever entered the offseason with a number of questions to answer. In all reality, many of those questions remain. On Sunday, though, the Fever announced that they are parting ways with head coach Christie Sides. Now the Fever need to find a new head coach in addition to making roster moves.

With the focus on the roster, however, which players can the Fever not afford to lose? Which players could end up leaving the team via the WNBA expansion draft?

2 Players the Fever must keep on roster

The Fever are building the roster around Caitlin Clark. Clark was the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and she has already established herself as a star. There are two players who the Fever need to keep on the roster to help Clark for years to come.

Kelsey Mitchell is set to become a free agent. Mitchell is going to be one of the most popular players in free agency, but the Fever must find a way to re-sign her.

Of course, Indiana can core her, something that will prove to be pivotal. Mitchell made back-to-back All-Star teams in 2023 and 2024 and she helped the Fever reach the postseason in 2024.

Lexie Hull is in the conversation as well given her ability to space the floor. Hull and Clark also seem to have a great relationship. However, Aliyah Boston is a player that Indiana cannot afford to lose anytime soon.

Boston is under contract in 2025 and she has a club option in 2026. Trade rumors could swirl, though, as Indiana has been linked to a number of stars. Trading Boston should not be an option, though. The 22-year-old has a chance to lead the Fever alongside Clark and Mitchell over the next few years. She has been an All-Star in each of her two seasons in the WNBA, and she won the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2023.

1 Player the Fever may lose in expansion draft

The Golden State Valkyries' WNBA expansion draft is drawing near and teams are only allowed to protect up to six players.

Smith, Clark and Boston are going to be protected by the Fever without question. NaLyssa Smith will likely be protected as well. Lexie Hull and Temi Fagbenle are also candidates to be protected.

Damiris Dantas, however, may end up not getting protected by the Fever. The 31-year-old was limited to 31 games played in 2024, but she is a reliable veteran with plenty of experience in the WNBA. The Valkyries will likely feature a fairly inexperienced roster overall, so adding a veteran such as Dantas may appeal to them.

There is a chance that Dantas will be protected by the Fever and either Fagbenle or Hull will be unprotected. It seems likely that Hull and Fagbenle will factor into the Fever's future, though. The same can be said for Dantas if she is either protected or is not selected by the Valkyries in the expansion draft.

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