Kate Martin is attempting to rebuild her career by going to Australia during the WNBA offseason. The Indiana Fever would be wise to closely watch the 26-year-old's progress to address one of their pressing offseason needs.
Indiana's No. 1 priority should be to re-sign Kelsey Mitchell. However, they still need to address their depth around their star players if they want to win a WNBA Championship.
The current crop of free agents could solve the Fever's depth issues. DiJonai Carrington is an ideal fit, and Jackie Young could be a backup option if Mitchell signs elsewhere. A reunion with DeWanna Bonner also could work on paper.
However, The Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant pointed out that those players likely wouldn't sign with the Fever because of their personal history with the franchise, and they likely wouldn't want anything to do with the worst parts of the Indiana fan base.
The WNBL is the most ideal place for development
That's why reuniting Caitlin Clark and Martin seems the most realistic. That will be dependent on how Martin plays with the Bendigo Spirit in the WNBL. Martin will actually be able to develop in a five-on-five, competitive environment. The biggest thing she'll need to prove is whether she can be a reliable 3-point shooter and be reliable on defense.
The WNBL is a perfect environment for that, as shown by those who have succeeded in the league. Multiple Australian players continue to develop in the league, including reigning MVP Isobel Borlase, former WNBL MVP Jordin Canada and Veronica Burton.
That is the range of player type Martin should aspire to be if she wants to get her WNBA career back on track.
The WNBL also should provide the competitive drive that Martin was known for coming out of Iowa. For as many gains that Unrivaled has made, one thing the players there aren't competing for is a future job. There are high-quality facilities and staff, but the WNBL is filled with other players like Martin. People who are trying to get better and are hoping to carve out a role in the WNBA.
Indiana would provide Martin with a familiar environment, reuniting with her college teammate and staying near her home region. The Fever need another wing to pair with Lexie Hull, who also didn't have a great 2026 WNBA season.
The pairing makes sense on paper, but it will be dependent on how Martin takes advantage of her opportunity in Australia.
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