The Indiana Fever extended a core qualifying offer to Kelsey Mitchell Tuesday, which means the team's star — who was truly the heartbeat of Indiana as they toughed out relentless 2025 season that concluded in a semifinals run — now has three options.
Mitchell can take the deal and be cored for the season, which makes her eligible for the WNBA supermax this season. With the new CBA, that's $1.4 million, which is a huge salary for most people on this planet. It's also a designation that Mitchell, who was drafted as the No. 2 overall pick by the Fever in 2018 and who has played her entire career for the team, deserves.
But it isn't necessarily one she has to take. Mitchell could sign the one-year contract for the $1.4 million this season, or she could negotiate for a multi-year deal with the team for less money. With the new CBA, that amount of money is still far greater than what it's been in years past, and Mitchell could work out a deal that gives her long-term security financially and on the team.
Of course, she could also take another deal with a different team, though there's nothing that suggests Mitchell is interested in playing for anyone other than the Indiana Fever.
The Fever sent Lexie Hull her own offer
Mitchell's teammate Lexie Hull, who joined the team as the No. 6 overall pick in 2022, also received an offer from the team Tuesday. As a restricted free agent, Hull has the option to receive offers from the Fever and from other teams, and the Fever have the option to match any offers she might get. Hull has simialrly offered no signal that she wants to leave the Fever, and, in fact, appears committed to the franchise and her teammates there.
Assuming Mitchell and Hull are both onboard in 2026, Fever fans can expect that the team's big four — these two players as well as Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, who are both still on their rookie contracts — will return to the team. They'll also, presumably, be fully healthy while doing so. That may give the Fever the edge the team needs to push their championship goals as far as possible, especially if they can build on the momentum the team built last year.
The Fever will still need to continue to make offers to the rest of the roster, but those will probably be based on what they decide with Mitchell and Hull. One way or another, the team will get to where they want to go — and it seems like they're committed to making sure Mitchell is the one making that happen.