Fun and games stop for Caitlin Clark as Fever’s offseason moves suggest they want to win now
Indiana Fever have attacked the WNBA free agency period to build a WNBA title contending team around Caitlin Clark.
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Free agency moves show Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark can fight for WNBA title
The basketball ball is still in shock with the situation unfolding in the NBA. However, prior to that, it was their sister concern, the WNBA, that was dominating headlines once their free agency period opened. The most active team off late has been the Indiana Fever as they look to build a team around Caitlin Clark.
When the former Iowa Hawkeyes superstar came into the league, it was evident that she was possibly the last major piece to complete a solid young contending team. The roster was full of high 1st round picks, which meant their potential was the highest of any team in the league.
That culminated with their first playoff appearance in eight seasons and fans were assured that the team were on their way up. They were expected to take a complimentary piece in this year’s WNBA Draft and try to push for a deeper playoff run under new head coach Stephanie White.
However, the franchise had completely rearranged their front office, which showed they were serious about winning a title soon. But no one expected them to take it this seriously when they made some major moves recently means the pressure is on Caitlin Clark.
Landing two top WNBA title winning forwards
The first major move after resigning Kelsey Mitchell was when they landed three-time WNBA champion Natasha Howard. The 33-year-old has been there, done that, and knows how to win. She left the Dallas Wings after two unsuccessful seasons.
She wants to win championships and hence wanted to be a part of a team that can contend. That brought her back to the team that drafted her. It is also not a coincidence that she is coming back to play for Stephanie White. That means, she is aligned with her head coach’s goals of winning a WNBA title.
That White connection also played its part when they landed Connecticut Sun star DeWanna Bonner. Bonner is a two-time champion and a six-time All-Star, the most recent selection saw her playing alongside Clark on the WNBA All-Star team.
Even though the two clashed during the playoffs, Bonner moving to the Fever means she probably holds a high enough opinion about the rookie superstar. But the 37-year-old could have joined her fiancée Alyssa Thomas in Phoenix. Instead, she chose to move to Indiana, just to try and win another title.
Shaping the rest of the roster
In between those high-profile free agent acquisitions, the Indiana Fever was part of a four-team trade. That trade saw Phoenix Mercury star Sophie Cunningham move to Indiana along with teammate Jaelyn Brown.
To make that move happen, the Fever shipped starting forward NaLyssa Smith to the Dallas Wings. That means, one of the core young players on the roster was no longer with the team. With Natasha Howard and DeWanna Bonner on the roster, it was clear that Smith was not a part of their future.
Along with this move, the franchise waived 2023 7th overall pick Grace Berger. With Temi Fagbenle already gone and Erica Wheeler testing free agency, this meant four players from last year’s team were gone.
That also meant that the team suddenly had a different outlook and all the players who earlier looked to have a long career in Indianapolis are now fighting for a spot. After Berger’s release, the team still need a backup point guard. The front office still has time to solve that dilemma.
The fun and games stop for Caitlin Clark
All of those young pieces moving away meant Caitlin Clark will not have most of her former teammates around her. Last season, the Indiana Fever used to post videos of their team building events that showed the young group had a great time.
They laughed and joked about while also working on their game as a team. That method did lead to the playoffs. But now the situation at the franchise means the ownership and front office are serious about winning titles.
Caitlin Clark did mention that the team will look to fight for titles down the line. But these acquisitions indicate that the organization wants to fight for the New York Liberty’s throne this very season. They are built from top to bottom to take on any team that comes in their way.
Even the bench depth was restructured to give them a chance at battling against the best whenever injuries or fatigue kick in. Caitlin Clark is working very hard on improving her own skills in this offseason. Maybe she already knew that her employers are going head on in their pursuit of a WNBA title.
Therefore, serious championship talk will replace all those fun activities. Motivational speeches will replace making Egyptian mummies out of her teammates. In essence, Clark and her new team will have to win that title this season.
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Joseph Varghese
(2401 Articles Published)