The 2025 WNBA season is here, and with it comes a fresh wave of anticipation—and questions—for the Indiana Fever. After a busy offseason of roster changes, the team is ready to hit the court with a revamped lineup that promises to bring excitement and unpredictability. But who’s in, who’s out, and where exactly will they land in the standings? Will the Fever’s new additions elevate them, or will they still find themselves battling for consistency? I’ll break down what’s new, what’s uncertain, and what fans can realistically expect from a team with high potential—and just as high a ceiling for improvement.
In: Natasha Howard, DeWanna Bonner, Sophie Cunningham, Sydney Colson, Brianna Turner, Jaelyn Brown^, Damiris Dantas, Stephanie White
Out: NaLyssa Smith, Erica Wheeler, Katie Lou Samuelson**, Temi Fagbenle, Grace Berger, Kristy Wallace*, Victaria Saxton,
*technically still on the team. Had her contract suspended for the season.
**buyout
^training camp contract
I have not been shy about the need to churn this roster to maximize the Caitlin-Clark-on-a-cheap-contract era. While the Fever didn’t bring me on as GM to make big moves, they certainly opened the door to transformation. Their roster turnover this offseason has been one of the highest in the league, but it’s clear they’ve made substantial improvements since October. The front office grew frustrated with the mismatched yet talented roster they had before. This offseason, the focus was sharp—bringing in players who can create offense and move without the ball, perfectly complementing Clark’s skill set.
Howard, even at 33, remains a dominant physical presence and a self-sufficient scorer. Bonner, a proven winner, adds a penetrating, microwave-scoring mentality that can light up the floor in a flash. Cunningham provides the much-needed spacing and defensive pressure, rounding out the team’s newfound versatility.
But perhaps the most crucial addition to the Fever isn’t someone you’ll see on the court. Head coach Stephanie White brings a wealth of basketball knowledge and an innovative mind for strategy after two years with the Connecticut Sun. Under Christie Sides, the team often became predictable and stagnant, but White’s system will unlock more dynamic scoring opportunities. Indiana will be far harder to defend now, with multiple actions in motion for different players. Defenders trying to hard hedge or double-team Clark will do so at their own peril, facing a far more unpredictable and dangerous attack.
Projected Starting Rotation: Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, Aliyah Boston
This rotation gives White immediate adaptability. Offensively, Clark is the playmaker, the highlight scorer, and the engine driving the offense. Boston and Howard form the post presence, with Boston as the traditional big and Howard as the midrange sharpshooter. Mitchell serves as the spacer. With the right system, this unit can attack in waves, especially in transition. Four of the five projected starters ranked in the top 30 for fast-break points per game among players who averaged at least 20 minutes last season. In both of White’s seasons with the Sun, her teams finished in the top half of the league in fast-break points per game. Expect more of the same with this group. And let’s not overlook Lexie Hull, Cunningham, Turner, and Colson off the bench—they each add a crucial element to the depth the Fever have long needed.
Defensively, the Fever have nowhere to go but up. While White doesn’t have a defensive powerhouse like Alyssa Thomas or Brianna Jones, she does have experienced veterans who can compensate for the backcourt’s defensive weaknesses. White’s strategic mind will ensure that the team plays competent, at least league-average, defense—something they desperately need.
Their Ceiling
This team may not yet rival the powerhouse status of the New York Liberty or even the Minnesota Lynx, but with time to adapt to White’s system, they could easily rise to challenge the second tier of contenders, alongside the Las Vegas Aces. The Connecticut Sun’s step back into a rebuild only opens up more space for the Fever. If their defense tightens up and the offense is firing by mid-season, this team could be firmly in the mix for a 2-4 seed in the playoffs.
Their Floor
If the defense doesn’t improve as much as anticipated, the offense remains inconsistent, White struggles to find the right rotations, and the bench still lacks reliable depth, the Fever could fall short of their goals. While it’s unlikely all these issues will derail their ambitions, and with so many teams in rebuild mode, the Fever could end up around the same spot as last season—hovering around the 6th or 7th seed.
Question Marks
The bench depth has improved, but it’s still not quite at the level this team needs. Colson is more of a glue player than a game-changer, Turner’s best years may be behind her, and Hull’s career has been inconsistent. While White will likely figure out the right rotations, the bench remains a concern. Can this team handle the inevitable injury or two? Time will tell. And with no first-round pick this year, unless a surprising free-agent addition fills the void, there won’t be a rookie to help strengthen the bench.
On a different note, though not necessarily a primary concern, Clark’s next step in her growth as a pro will be crucial to watch. Opposing teams have had all offseason to adjust and devise ways to slow her down. How Clark handles tough stretches or off nights, and how she continues to evolve as a leader, will be critical. While this is still her team, the addition of vocal veterans means she’ll need to adjust to new leadership dynamics in the locker room. How she navigates that shift could be a defining factor in how far this team goes.
All stats through the 2024 WNBA season. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of WNBA.com.
