Though the WNBA is still navigating what has proven to be a challenging period of CBA negotiations, the prevailing assumption is that the league and the players will come to a resolution by the January 9 deadline and the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire will be able to hold Expansion Drafts.
While some teams are set to experience disappointing blows during the Expansion Drafts, the Fever are actually coming into the drafts in a pretty decent spot: while there are several fan favorites at risk, the team will likely be able to retain all three players on rookie contracts and protect fan favorites Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull.
In case you're a little rusty or you're just new to the league, the Expansion Drafts will allow the two newest teams to build their initial rosters ahead of free agency and the 2026 WNBA season. The Tempo and Fire Expansion Drafts will likely work a little differently than the Valkyries' Expansion Draft last year — the teams of the Expansion Drafts are negotiated as part of the CBA, and 2026 will see most of the league available as unrestricted free agents. This will likely mean the teams can only protect five players instead of six.
The Tempo and the Fire will likely also be allowed to pick one unrestricted free agent that they may be able to core, which makes the Expansion Drafts even riskier for veteran WNBA teams.
Who will the Indiana Fever protect in the 2026 Expansion Drafts?
Due to extensive injuries that plagued several players on the team, the Fever ended the 2025 season with a huge roster. This will make the team's decision-making process even more difficult, and, unfortunately, a lot of players who fans adore will likely enter the Expansion Draft unprotected.
But first things first: here's who the Indiana Fever are likely to protect.
Caitlin Clark: Even if she wasn't still on her rookie contract, Clark would be the obvious first choice for the team. She has built her brand around the Fever and vice versa, and fans would likely riot if the Fever even hinted at not protecting her in 2026.
Kelsey Mitchell: Similarly, Mitchell left it all on the court in 2025 and there's no way the Fever will risk losing a player who has proven what an asset she is to the team and to fans. The Fever doesn't make sense without Kelsey Mitchell in a jersey, and GM Amber Cox has already made it clear she intends to make sure it stays that way. Mitchell is also the only core candidate the team has, which makes it even more likely they will do everything they need to.
Aliyah Boston: When they're both healthy and on the floor, there are few WNBA duos as fun to watch as Boston and Clark. The pair spent a chunk of the 2024 season learning one another and establishing a rhythm that was notably absent as Clark battled injuries during 2025 — they deserve another season together to make things right. She's also still on her rookie contract.
Makayla Timpson: The Fever are fortunate to be able to retain all three players on their rookie contracts, which means Timpson will likely continue to have the opportunity to evolve with the team.
Lexie Hull: If there's another player who more than demonstrated her commitment to the Fever this season, it's Hull, who repeatedly refused to back down from the adversity the team experienced. She will be a restricted free agent in 2026, which means her initial four-year contract with the team is up — but they have the ability to make her an offer before anyone else can.
Who will the Indiana Fever leave unprotected in the 2026 Expansion Drafts?
Of course, this leaves a whole slew of players who will be unprotected. This includes unrestricted free agents Aari McDonald, Sydney Colson, Sophie Cunningham, Brianna Turner, and Damiris Dantas, as well as Chloe Bibby and Kristy Wallace. Natasha Howard is not eligible for the Expansion Drafts.