“Kelsey Mitchell is our first concern.” Will the Indiana Fever sign the WNBA All-Star again?

As the WNBA offseason rolls into full swing, the Indiana Fever are faced with an important decision that could shape their future for years to come. Kelsey Mitchell, one of the franchise’s most talented players and a bona fide WNBA All-Star, is set to hit free agency, and the question on everyone’s mind is: will the Fever be able to re-sign her? With a rebuilding team that is looking to rise from the depths of recent struggles, keeping Mitchell in Indiana could be the key to both their immediate and long-term success.

Mitchell has been with the Fever since being selected with the 2nd overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft. Over her career, she has developed into one of the most dynamic scorers in the league. Known for her deep shooting range, her ability to create off the dribble, and her competitive fire, Mitchell has been a cornerstone for Indiana. However, as a franchise that has been mired in rebuilding since their last playoff appearance in 2016, the Fever have a lot to consider as they look to build a competitive team around Mitchell moving forward.

This article will dive into the factors that could determine whether the Fever re-sign Kelsey Mitchell, the potential implications of her decision, and the landscape of the team and the WNBA moving forward.

Mitchell’s Impact on the Court

Kelsey Mitchell’s talent and on-court accomplishments speak for themselves. From the moment she entered the league, it was clear that she was going to be a transformative player for the Fever. She has consistently averaged double-digit points, with her scoring ability being her standout feature. As of the end of the 2023 season, Mitchell is averaging 16.3 points per game, while also contributing in other facets of the game, including assists (3.0) and rebounds (2.3).

Her shooting range is one of the most impressive aspects of her game. Mitchell’s ability to score from beyond the arc has helped make her a dual-threat, as she can stretch defenses with her three-point shooting and also drive to the basket when defenders close out on her too aggressively. Over the years, she has become one of the most dangerous perimeter players in the WNBA.

Mitchell’s presence has also helped raise the profile of the Fever, who have struggled with consistency over the past few seasons. As the team’s leader and focal point on offense, she has drawn attention to a franchise that has struggled to keep up with some of the more elite teams in the WNBA. In terms of leadership, Mitchell brings a competitive edge and a desire to win, which has been evident in her play. Despite Indiana’s rebuilding phase, Mitchell has continued to push herself and her teammates to improve and compete.

In 2021, she earned her first WNBA All-Star selection, showcasing her talent and importance to the Fever. That recognition not only cemented her status as one of the league’s best but also solidified her role as the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future.

The Fever’s Rebuilding Phase

While Mitchell has established herself as one of the top players in the league, the Fever as a whole have been in a rebuilding phase since their last playoff appearance in 2016. Over the past several years, the franchise has been focused on developing young talent and building a sustainable future. This has involved an influx of young players, including the 2021 draft selections of Queen Egbo and Emily Engstler, both of whom are seen as integral pieces of the future of the team.

While the rebuilding process has not yet led to a return to the postseason, the Fever have made strides in the right direction. The team has been focused on developing its young players, and they’ve begun to establish a foundation that could lead to success down the road. The Fever’s 2023 season showed some promise, with improvements in player development and the emergence of new contributors.

However, Indiana remains far from a title contender. The team’s defense has been a key area of concern, and consistency on both ends of the floor has held the Fever back from being a true playoff threat. With these struggles, it’s understandable that the front office would need to carefully evaluate how to proceed with the next steps of the rebuilding process.

Kelsey Mitchell is undeniably a star, but at 26 years old, she’s also entering the prime of her career. The question the Fever front office will have to ask is whether keeping Mitchell on the roster as a centerpiece for the future aligns with the team’s long-term goals. Do they want to continue building around Mitchell, or is it time to let her go and focus on further rebuilding efforts with younger players?

Kelsey Mitchell’s Role in Indiana’s Future

As the leader of the Indiana Fever, Mitchell’s role in the team’s future cannot be overstated. The Fever will need to make a decision on whether they want to fully commit to re-signing Mitchell or use her as a trade asset to further bolster the rebuilding process.

For the Fever to contend in the future, they will need to surround Mitchell with more talent—particularly in the frontcourt. The lack of a consistent post presence and the team’s struggles defensively have made it difficult for Mitchell to carry the load on her own. By signing Mitchell to a new contract, the Fever would signal that they believe she can be the centerpiece around which they continue to build a competitive team. Re-signing her would offer the team stability and an offensive focal point for years to come.

Furthermore, keeping Mitchell could prove to be beneficial from a marketing and fan engagement perspective. As one of the faces of the franchise, she has the potential to bring attention and visibility to the Fever, who have struggled to maintain a strong fan base over the years. Mitchell’s star power can help generate excitement around the team, even as they continue their rebuild.

The Risk of Letting Mitchell Walk

On the other hand, the Fever must weigh the risks of re-signing Mitchell against the potential benefits. If the team determines that they are not yet in a position to compete for a championship and that Mitchell’s timeline doesn’t align with their own, they might consider trading her for more assets, including draft picks or young talent.

The Fever could use Mitchell’s value to acquire players that are further along in their development or a higher draft pick to help them land the type of talent that will contribute to their long-term goals. If Mitchell were to leave, it could open up additional roster flexibility, but the risk would be the loss of one of the most dynamic offensive players in the league.

A similar situation occurred in 2019 when the Seattle Storm chose not to re-sign star guard Jewell Loyd after a championship run. While the decision was met with some criticism at the time, it ultimately allowed Seattle to pivot into a rebuilding phase and create more cap flexibility. For the Fever, the decision to re-sign or part ways with Mitchell will be one of the most significant decisions of the coming offseason.

The WNBA Free Agency Landscape

The 2025 WNBA free agency market is shaping up to be a highly competitive one. Several other teams will be actively looking to make moves and upgrade their rosters, and Mitchell’s potential availability could create a bidding war. Teams like the Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty, and Chicago Sky, who are closer to championship contention, could be in the market for a player of Mitchell’s caliber to add depth and scoring ability to their rosters.

However, Mitchell has expressed her desire to stay with the Fever in the past, and her deep connection with the franchise could be a determining factor in her decision. She has grown with the team over the years and has become a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity. Whether she’s willing to leave for a better shot at a title or choose to remain loyal to the team that drafted her will be a storyline that plays out in the coming months.

What the Fever Should Do

At the end of the day, the decision to re-sign Kelsey Mitchell should be one based on a few key factors. First, the Fever need to assess how far along they are in their rebuilding process and whether they have the pieces in place to compete for a championship in the next few years. If they believe they can surround Mitchell with a more competitive roster, keeping her around would be a prudent move.

Second, the team must consider Mitchell’s age and potential longevity. As a young star, Mitchell still has several productive years ahead of her. The Fever would be wise to continue developing their young talent alongside Mitchell, as her leadership and scoring ability can help guide the team’s next generation.

Finally, if the Fever are committed to keeping Mitchell, they should also look at ways to bolster the roster immediately, adding talent where needed to take advantage of Mitchell’s prime years. This would mean addressing weaknesses in the team’s defense and acquiring additional pieces to give Mitchell the support she needs.