With free agency looming the Indiana Fever will face big decision on key veteran

Seven year veteran Sophie Cunningham is set to become an unrestricted free agent after one season with the Indiana Fever — a season that was unfortunately cut short due to a torn MCL in her right knee. This means that she can exercise her options in the free agency market and take offers from other teams. Had she been a restricted free agent, the Fever would essentially have more rights to re-sign her with or without offers from other teams. With all the eyes that were on the Fever last season, it's likely many picked up on Cunningham's immediate impact on their success. She may not have put up big numbers consistently, but her fiery energy and 'enforcer' mentality are still very valuable components to a player.

Her viral moments involving on-court altercations while standing up for her teammates depict exactly what type of player and teammate she is. It's hard to find and replace someone like that. She fits the bill for exactly what the Fever needed after Caitlin Clark's rookie season had several rocky moments involving some not-so-pleasant opposing player interactions with her. When Cunningham arrived in Indiana she made it very clear that one priority would be defending her teammates and that's just what she did. Let's call it what it is: the Indiana Fever gained a lot of the stardom in the WNBA the last two seasons, and some around the league didn't like it. When facing high pressure situations in important games a player with her characteristics is what a team needs.

Her on-court personality isn't the only quality that draws the love and attention from Fever fans. She brought depth to their bench, an area that the Fever desperately needed to fix coming into last season. Playing under an elite head coach like Stephanie White brought out the best in each player consistently. When the team faced many injuries, prior to her own, Cunningham immediately embraced a starting role. The quick and polished chemistry she had with her new teammates is unparalleled. In just one season with the Fever, Cunningham checked all the boxes for their necessary needs. Even though any deal can't be complete just yet until a new CBA is met (Collective Bargaining Agreement) Fever fans should be optimistic that Cunningham returns to Indiana in 2026.

Sophie Cunningham has repeatedly expressed gratitude for the Fever bringing optimism to a potential return

The WNBA as a whole is in a complete stall mode. An expansion draft for the league's two newest teams would have already taken place and free agency would have opened up back on January 11. But due to a deal not being reached by the January 9 deadline for a new CBA deal, players must wait to begin contract discussions. Still, it hasn't stopped players from doing public appearances, participating in other leagues and being active on social media, podcasts, etc. Sophie Cunningham, in particular, has used these times as an opportunity to discuss briefly about her WNBA future. At an event, the Sophie Cunningham Classic, that she held recently in her hometown of Columbia, MO, she made it clear how happy she is playing in Indiana.

"But the Indiana Fever was such a blessing. It's more my speed, more my style of play and the girls in the locker room, at any level, it's hard to find a group that really loves each other and especially at the pros, we really did. So it just made a really fun culture in Indiana," Cunningham said.

"Hopefully, this next year, we don't know about the CBA, but hopefully we can keep our core group together and go get a championship together," she added.

The future of the WNBA is still very much up in the air, but it's hard to imagine that if and when things get rolling again, Fever fans won't see Cunningham back in Indianapolis.