The Fever’s roster for this upcoming season is full of familiar faces. Cailtin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, and Sophie Cunningham are all back in Indiana and ready to build on last season’s success.
The front office also made some changes around the edges, though, adding Monique Billings, Ty Harris, and Myisha Hines-Allen in free agency and drafting Raven Johnson in the first round. Billings is a big get, considering that Natasha Howard signed with the Lynx in free agency and she showed some great chemistry with Mitchell in Unrivaled and with Clark on Team USA. Billings will be able to thrive in pick-and-roll actions with either guard, but she also adds size, defense, and athleticism next to or behind Boston depending on who will take on the starting power forward spot.
She also believes that her contributions can go way beyond her performance on the court, though.
“I would say leadership,” Billings said when asked what she hopes to show the coaching staff during training camp. “Being an older player, being a vet, I think that’s something important that I bring to this group. Obviously, the basketball stuff, that’s going to be there, too, but, I think along with that, this group can use a leader. I think Sophie has stepped up in that. I think I could be another person on this team who contributes in that way.”
Veterans matter when you’re chasing a championship
This Fever roster looks like a contender. It has all the pieces you need to win at the highest level. Mitchell, Boston, and Clark could all be MVP candidates if they play up to their potential. Boston could also put her name into the Defensive Player of the Year conversation this year. On top of that, the big three have a nice mix of defense, 3-point shooting, offensive versatility, and experience around them.
None of the other top contenders are built around two players still on their rookie contracts. The Aces have A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Jewell Loyd. New York is built around Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, and Satou Sabally. These are championship veterans.
The Fever’s core, Mitchell included, meanwhile, still has little playoff experience. Last season marked only their second trip to the playoffs, and Clark missed out on that experience.
So, having veterans like Cunningham, Billings, and Hines-Allen around them could make all the difference in the playoffs.
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