Fever facing offseason questions after playoff exit: 'We didn't meet that [championship] expectation'

The Indiana Fever’s season came to an end at the hands of the Las Vegas Aces for the second straight season on Friday night.

Despite a fourth consecutive season with an improved record, the Fever have only won a single playoff round since 2016. As the team heads into the offseason, there are several questions that will need to be answered before Kelsey Mitchell, Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston and Co. can run it back for the 2027 season.

Mitchell’s future is one of those questions. The four-time WNBA All-Star and 2026 scoring champion can become an unrestricted free agent and is unsure about what she will eventually decide.

“It’s too early for me to really tell what I need to do,” said Mitchell, who has spent her entire nine-year career with the Fever. She added that she has to be “selfish” about making the best decision for her and her family.

“I’ve obviously built a Fever family here … I guess TBD,” Mitchell added while saying “Heck yeah” when asked if she’d be fine staying with the franchise for the rest of her career.

General manager Amber Cox said Mitchell is a “major priority” in the offseason.

“Our goal is for her to be a Fever girl the rest of her career,” Cox said.

Another potential Fever free agent is forward Sophie Cunningham. The 30-year-old finished her second year in Indiana by averaging 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 43 games.

Cox said the plan is try and re-sign Cunningham, who inked a one-year deal in April to return.

“Sophie is a really solid leader in the locker room and a great connector … an important voice in the locker room when we need her. She’s an unrestricted free agent so we’ll see where those conversations take us,” said Cox, who noted that the off-court controversy involving Cunningham this season will not impact the team’s decision to bring her back.

Head coach Stephanie White could be one of the offseason changes. This was her second season leading the Fever and Cox said areas that need improvement will be addressed in the offseason.

“I think the expectation is always championship. We didn’t meet that expectation, but we’re going to learn from it and we’re going to grow. Steph’s players know that she rides for them,” Cox said of White’s performance. “She has great relationships with them and just continues to build on that every time we are together. It comes back to that continuity and how you build together.”

“I think the expectation is always championship. We didn’t meet that expectation, but we’re going to learn from it and we’re going to grow. Steph’s players know that she rides for them,” Cox said of White’s performance. “She has great relationships with them and just continues to build on that every time we are together. It comes back to that continuity and how you build together.”

White expressed an eagerness to stay beyond this season.

“At the end of the day, it’s their decision about whether I return or not,” White said. “I’d love the opportunity. I love this franchise … and I hope to continue to be the coach.”