Keep Caitlin Clark-Kelsey Mitchell Duo Intact, Warns Hall of Famer: “It’s A Wrap If That Young Lady Leaves”

Now that Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and their Indiana Fever teammates are off to the offseason, the franchise has to sit down and figure out what they need to do to get to the next level.

For starters, the team’s improper roster construction was exposed. It was not just the Las Vegas Aces in the playoffs; the problems were laid bare whenever the Fever faced top teams.

Since then, some of the most keen-eyed fans and analysts knew that the Indianapolis-based squad may not be good enough to compete for a championship.

As the top brass head into the offseason thinking about how to improve the team, their hands will be tied until they know what to do with Mitchell and Clark.

The latter is eligible for an EPIC extension, which means she will be eligible to sign a deal that would pay her up to $1.3 million in 2027. When considering that Aliyah Boston will earn $1.55 million, the two take up a significant chunk of the team’s salary cap.

Then they will have to figure out how much to pay unrestricted free agent Mitchell. Last year she earned $1.4 million. This time, she has made it clear that she wants to be ‘selfish’ for herself and her family.

You better make that young lady happy. You better keep Kelsey Mitchell there. Otherwise, Indiana Fever, it’s a wrap. It’s a wrap if that young lady leaves.

Cheryl Miller said on NBC

Oh, really?!? 😂😂😂 https://t.co/re9Z8xbPm9

— Nikelodeon (@Nikelodeon2021) October 5, 2026

This was Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller, making it clear that the Indiana Fever have to do everything to ensure Kelsey Mitchell stays. Only then can they continue utilizing the dynamic partnership with Caitlin Clark.

Kelsey Mitchell has options ahead of free agency

While Caitlin Clark has made it clear that she would love for Kelsey Mitchell to stay, the latter is in a position where she can dictate what she wants to do with her career.

This is an MVP candidate. There are teams that would want to build around a franchise player like that.

Ramona Shelburne said on NBA Today

Coming from a respected senior writer with enough connections to get information, it seems Shelburne is pointing to the fact that the four-time All-Star could get interest from teams that not only have cap space, but also would love to have the league’s second-best scorer as their franchise cornerstone.

“There are teams that would want to build around a franchise player like [Kelsey Mitchell].” @ramonashelburne and @chiney talk about Kelsey Mitchell’s future in the WNBA entering free agency ✍️ https://t.co/TaHlOpXuso

— espnW (@espnW) October 5, 2026

Former All-Star Chiney Ogwumike added that Kelsey Mitchell is a plug-and-play player, which means she would not struggle to continue her efficient scoring on any team she joins.

However, if she leaves, the Fever’s highest-scoring duo of the shooting guard and Caitlin Clark will break. They may not have performed that well in the playoffs, but if their regular-season juggernaut was anything to measure, the franchise has better odds of keeping them together than allowing Mitchell to walk.

Indiana Fever have a task on their hands building a contender around Caitlin Clark

If Kelsey Mitchell were to return to the Indiana Fever, there is a slim chance she will agree to anything less than the $1.4 million she earned this season. As a player entering the latter stage of her career, she would want to cash in on the records and other accolades she racked up this season.

That would have been possible had the Fever not made a glaring mistake last offseason. They signed Monique Billings to a two-year contract. That means they have to continue paying her the $800,000 salary they committed.

Add Lexie Hull‘s similar salary, and now the Fever are faced with having to allocate more than 50% of their cap to just four players: Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, Billings, and Hull. That is before even knowing what Caitlin Clark wants.

The superstar might feel that she deserves the max, considering the Fever’s offense flows through her, and the WNBA’s growth is mostly because of her presence. If she does, that would leave the organization with just $3.4 million to pay seven players.

Veterans Sophie Cunningham, Ty Harris, and Myisha Hines-Allen have all performed well and will demand a raise. Therefore, it will be tricky for the Fever to accommodate them all so that they can ride Caitlin Clark’s coattails towards a championship.

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