The Indiana Fever’s off-season plans have taken an unexpected turn after a social media post, which was quickly deleted, seemed to reveal the team’s protected players for the upcoming WNBA expansion draft. This unintentional leak has sent shockwaves through the WNBA community, with fans and analysts now scrambling to interpret its implications. Could this social media slip-up shape the Fever’s future, and what does it mean for the Golden State Valkyries as they prepare for their debut in 2025?

The WNBA Expansion Draft is set for December 6th, where the Golden State Valkyries, the league’s newest team, will select players from the existing WNBA teams. Each team can protect up to six players, shielding them from being drafted. Unprotected players, including free agents, are up for grabs, but the Valkyries can only draft one unrestricted free agent.

For the Indiana Fever, this draft is particularly significant. After years of underperformance, the Fever made a dramatic improvement in 2024, earning a playoff spot and achieving a winning record. With a new coach, Stephanie White, and an exciting young core that includes stars like Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and Lexi Hull, the Fever are poised for a resurgence. The expansion draft represents a crucial moment for Indiana, as protecting the wrong players could open the door for the Valkyries to poach valuable talent.

On November 24th, just days before the November 25th deadline for teams to submit their protected players list, the Indiana Fever’s social media team posted an image celebrating the team’s future. The post featured head coach Stephanie White standing alongside six players, with the caption, “New Era, New Energy, Already Making Plans for Next Season.”

However, the post was quickly deleted less than an hour later, but not before fans captured screenshots of the image. The players in the photo were Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, Lexi Hull, Nelissa Smith, and Tamy Fagan-Lay. These six names closely matched ESPN’s predictions for who the Fever would protect for the draft.

The sudden deletion led to widespread speculation among fans and analysts, with many theorizing that this was an accidental leak of the Fever’s protected players list. The leak has ignited a firestorm of debates and prompted fans to closely examine the players involved, wondering if this slip-up was intentional or a costly mistake.

Let’s break down the six players in question and why they were likely included in the list.

Caitlin Clark – Fresh off a historic Rookie of the Year campaign, Clark is undoubtedly the face of the franchise. Her record-breaking season and immense popularity make her a no-brainer for protection. Clark is not only a rising star but also the most marketable player in the WNBA right now.
Aliyah Boston – As the first overall pick in the 2023 draft, Boston has already proven herself to be one of the league’s top players. Her dominance in the post and all-around game make her a cornerstone for the Fever’s future.
Kelsey Mitchell – A prolific scorer and experienced veteran, Mitchell has been integral to the Fever’s offense. While she’s a free agent, it seems Indiana is keen on retaining her, especially given her importance to the team’s chemistry.
Lexi Hull – Hull’s defensive tenacity and her ability to contribute on both ends of the floor make her an ideal fit for the Fever’s long-term vision. She plays a crucial supporting role alongside the team’s stars and provides valuable grit and leadership.
Nelissa Smith – Smith’s inclusion is more controversial. While she possesses athleticism and potential, her on-court inconsistency and off-court controversies (such as the TikTok incident) have made her a polarizing figure. Nonetheless, protecting Smith could be a strategic move, as she has trade value and could potentially develop further under the right conditions.
Tamy Fagan-Lay – Fagan-Lay’s role in the early part of the season showed promise, particularly her defensive play and ability to finish around the basket. While her injury history raises questions, her veteran presence could offer valuable depth in the coming season.

One of the biggest surprises in the leaked list is the exclusion of Grace Berger, a talented young player with high potential. Though she wasn’t heavily utilized in the 2024 season, her upside and ability to develop into a key contributor make her an intriguing prospect for the Fever. The other omission is Damiris Dantas, a veteran player known for her ability to stretch the floor and provide scoring depth. Her absence could signal that the Fever are prioritizing younger players or preparing for possible trades.

The implications of this leak go beyond just one team. The decision to protect certain players and leave others exposed speaks volumes about the Fever’s priorities moving forward. For instance, protecting Nelissa Smith might suggest that Indiana sees her potential as a trade asset. Meanwhile, keeping veteran players like Fagan-Lay could be an effort to balance youthful potential with experienced leadership.

However, the Fever must tread carefully. Protecting players like Smith or Fagan-Lay over promising talents like Berger could alienate some fans if the strategy doesn’t pay off. On the other hand, retaining Clark, Boston, Mitchell, and Hull signals a commitment to building a competitive team around this young core.

The Fever’s misstep also highlights a larger trend in the WNBA. As the league expands and competition intensifies, teams are becoming more strategic and secretive about their decisions. Every roster move now has ripple effects that can alter the landscape of the league, especially with the addition of the Golden State Valkyries in 2025. Teams like the Fever are under more pressure than ever to make the right moves, and one wrong decision could set back their progress for years.

Whether the leak was accidental or intentional, it has put the Fever’s offseason at the center of the WNBA’s most intriguing story. Fans and analysts are eagerly watching to see how this saga unfolds and what impact it will have on Indiana’s future.

The Indiana Fever are at a crucial crossroads, and the decisions they make in the expansion draft could define their trajectory for years to come. With a talented young core and some controversial decisions about who to protect, the Fever are poised to make waves in the WNBA’s competitive landscape. Whether or not the rumored protected players list becomes official, one thing is certain: the Fever’s future is filled with potential, and the road ahead will be anything but predictable.

Relative Articles

None found