Kelsey Mitchell Re-Sign & Natasha Howard Added: Fever’s Championship Blueprint

The Indiana Fever have been quietly making moves in their offseason that are going to help their team in a grand way. First and foremost, the biggest task of business for Indiana’s offseason was re-signing Kelsey Mitchell. They accomplished that. The next order of business was bringing in a defensive-minded player to add to their frontcourt. They also accomplished that. Adding a veteran in Natasha Howard has the potential to reshape the team’s trajectory. Although these moves are not “the biggest moves” or the splashiest picks, these simple decisions bring both immediate benefits and long-term implications. Here’s how these moves help or hurt the Fever in the grand scheme:

1. KELSEY MITCHELL: THE Heart OF THE FRANCHISE

The biggest task for the Indiana Fever this offseason was re-signing Kelsey Mitchell. The pairing of Mitchell and the chemistry Caitlin Clark and Mitchell share on the court is organic. The two have by far the best backcourt in the league. Keeping the duo together to grow was a critical move. As the team’s leading scorer for the past five seasons, Mitchell has been the team’s most reliable offensive weapon.

Mitchell’s ability to score and shoot the basketball is unmatched. Last season, Mitchell was coming off a career-best year, averaging 19.2 points while shooting 40.2% from the three-point line. Mitchell’s ability to stretch the floor helps create spacing. Mitchell’s leadership and experience, in the grand scheme, ensure the Fever remain competitive while their younger players develop.

Additionally, if Kelsey Mitchell continues to play at this elite level of shooting, she will continue to be the driving force behind the Fever’s offense. If Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston continue to develop, Mitchell’s role as a veteran leader will help their growth. In the best-case scenario, Mitchell’s consistency and star power will elevate the entire team, making the Fever a legitimate force in the WNBA.

2. NATASHA HOWARD: A WIN-NOW MOVE WITH Slight RISK

Adding Natasha Howard is a great, reliable win-now move for the Fever. Howard brings a lot of experience to the team. Howard is a three-time WNBA champion and a former Defensive Player of the Year. She brings championship pedigree, defensive intensity, and veteran leadership. Her presence immediately elevates the Fever’s frontcourt and gives them a lot of flexibility within their lineup.

Howard’s defensive versatility and rebounding address two of the Fever’s biggest weaknesses from last season. Creating a frontcourt with Aliyah Boston forms a great interior duo that can dominate on both ends of the floor. In the grand scheme of Indiana, her addition signals that the Fever are serious about competing now, not just building for the future. The bigger question is, with the signing of Howard, does it mean NaLyssa Smith may be leaving Indiana?

At 33, Howard may be in the latter stages of her career, and there could be a chance that if Howard struggles to stay healthy or maintain her elite level of play, it could impact the team. In the grand scheme, Howard’s addition could either very much accelerate the Fever’s timeline or create setbacks if things don’t go as planned.

3. THE FEVER One or Two Pieces AWay

With Mitchell and Howard in the mix, the Fever have definitively gotten better. Adding back Mitchell’s scoring mixed in with Howard’s defense are two great signings for the roster. Add in rising stars like Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, and you have a team that’s built for both immediate success and long-term growth.

Even with all of this firepower that the Fever have, they still need at least one to two more pieces. It was just announced that in a three team trade, the Fever picked up Sophie Cunningham from the Phoenix Mercury. This trade will prove as another important piece as Indiana picked up a shooter who nearly shot 38% from the three-point line last season. Having that type of firepower in the mix with Clark, Mitchell and Hull is yet another capable weapon from the outside. Funny enough, the Fever still have room for one more near max level player.

Which leads to speak about Marina Mabrey who is a free agent next season in 2026. If there is a way to make a trade for her to add to the roster, it will prove beneficial. Mabrey would excel in a backcourt either with Clark or Mitchell. She could also play the forward position and either start in front of Lexie Hull or be used as firepower as a sixth woman.

Moreover, if not Mabrey, adding more shooting to this roster in the form of players such as Allisha Gray, Rachel Banham, Maddie Siegrist, Kayla McBride, Alanna Smith, Bridget Carleton, or Stefanie Dolson (all free agents in 2026) could prove beneficial to the team.

THE BIG PICTURE: INDIANA IS READY TO COMPETE

The Indiana Fever were not a team that people should have taken lightly last season. They are not one that teams should take lightly this season. By re-signing Kelsey Mitchell and adding Natasha Howard, they’ve addressed two of their biggest needs while maintaining their core identity.

As one of the teams to watch in 2025, the Fever are slowly positioning themselves not only as a playoff team but as a contender. Indiana now has a more talented roster, better coaching, and if everything comes together, they could shake up the WNBA landscape.