Since the arrival of Caitlin Clark, the WNBA has experienced a surge in popularity. However, aside from attracting more fans to the women’s professional league, she has also been the subject of scrutiny. Clark’s critics include ESPN’s Monica McNutt and four-time NBA champion Sheryl Swoopes.

However, one analyst believes the only reason WNBA fans listen to Swoopes and McNutt is because of Clark. Analyst Steve Kim shared this insight with Jason Whitlock on the latter’s podcast.

“Let’s be honest, without [Clark], Monica McNutt is not even a thing. We don’t even pretend to care about her,” Kim said. “In fact, let’s go this far, Sheryl Swoopes, there it is, would be no one we would be listening or paying attention to without her comments on Caitlin Clark.”

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Monica McNutt was not the biggest fan of Caitlin Clark at the start of the season. She picked Angel Reese over Clark as her Rookie of the Year. However, Clark appears to have made a believer out of her as she has gradually changed her tune about her and the Indiana Fever.

Sheryl Swoopes meanwhile, has also taken several potshots at Clark. In fact, some fans believe that there is beef between the two. Her latest comments against Clark came when she was a guest on “Gil’s Arena.”

In it, Swoopes said that she does not consider Clark’s performance in her rookie year to be dominant.

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Sheryl Swoopes hints that some of Caitlin Clark’s teammates might want to leave the Fever

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever started the season off slow, winning only two of their first ten games. Since then, however, they have turned their season around and even successfully clinched the franchise’s first postseason appearance since the 2016 season.

However, the Fever aren’t true title contenders just yet. They have plenty of growing to do as individuals and as a team. However, Sheryl Swoopes thinks that there are bigger problems on the horizon for them.

Swoopes alluded to some problems that might cause some players to leave. According to the four-time champ, some players could already be thinking about moving on. She specifically named Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell as examples of players who might want to take their talents elsewhere.

However, she clarified that her statement is only speculation and that she has no clue as to what the locker room situation is within the Fever. Additionally, she made it clear that she hasn’t spoken to anyone within the organization.

Kelsey Mitchell, who was an All-Star this season alongside Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark this season, is set to become a free agent.

Thus far, there have been no solid indications if she wants to test free agency or if she will remain with the Fever.