The Indiana Fever had a great offseason, from hiring Stephanie White to signing veterans with championship experience. However, one thing they had to do that didn't go in their favor was buying Katie Lou Samuelson's contract out in February, one year after signing her to a two-year deal.
Indiana gave Samuelson a $355,000 contract in February 2024 after she missed the season before because she gave birth to her daughter. She averaged 4.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game for the Fever, shooting 34.9% from the field and 33% from three. Indiana signed Samuelson hoping she'd be a three-point threat, but she wasn't that. She averaged 2.7 attempts per game after averaging 5.0 in her most recent season (2022) with the Sparks.
Samuelson made $175,000 in her first season with the Fever and was set to make $180,000 in 2025 with her protected contract. Indiana bought her out for $106,419.
Sources confirm that Katie Lou Samuelson's 'divorce agreement', i.e. buyout, with the Indiana Fever is $106,419. That's her existing contract minus the vet minimum (plus 5k for Right of Set-Off rule). Assuming she clears waivers, KLS will become an unrestricted free agent. #WNBA
— Richard Cohen (@RichardCohen1) February 11, 2025
She agreed to a one-year, $90,000 deal with the Storm that wasn't protected. Last week, Samuelson tore her ACL in practice, but Seattle is still responsible for her salary. The Storm were already planning to start the season with 11 players, but because of the injury, they will have 10 players until they have the cap space to sign someone to their final roster spot.
Indiana is in a similar position because of the contract it gave Samuelson last year. The Fever had no choice but to buy her out, meaning they will start the season with 11 players.
Katie Lou Samuelson's contract will hang over the Fever's heads in 2025
Indiana waived rookie Bree Hall and veteran Jillian Alleyne on Monday to trim the roster to 13. The Fever will choose between Makayla Timpson, Jaelyn Brown, Brianna Turner, and Yvonne Ejim to fill the final two spots.
In a perfect world, Indiana wouldn't have to worry about paying Samuelson even though she's with a new team, but unfortunately, the Fever felt there was nothing left to do but eat her contract. Indiana will pay her more than Seattle. The Fever could sign another player midseason when the minimum salary goes down.
Indiana's revamped roster will make noise in 2025 after earning its first playoff berth since 2016 last year. The Fever are in a good position even with Samuelson's $106,419 salary still on the books, but their outlook would be even better if they had that extra cap space.