‘My focus is on winning’: Caitlin Clark addresses looming contract decision

The Indiana Fever fell to the Las Vegas Aces in the first round of the WNBA playoffs in three games. As dissapointing as the end to the season was, it was still unquestionably superstar point guard Caitlin Clark’s best season as a professional.

Clark will be eligible to sign the EPIC (exceptional performance on initial contract) extension, which would see the Fever superstar’s salary skyrocket, but would leave the Fever in a tough spot as the franchise tries to retain All-Star Kelsey Mitchell, who is an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Clark addressed the situation in her exit interview on Thursday.

“My focus is on winning. I certainly know what I deserve and what I’m worth, but at the same time you have to make sacrifices,” Clark told reporters. “I’m not saying I’m not going to sign it. And I’m not saying I am going to sign it. I haven’t got into those discussions. I haven’t even honestly given it much thought. I’ve been playing 18 holes every single day.”

As things stand, Clark is set to earn $597,596 next season, the final year of  of her rookie contract. However, the EPIC extension would end up paying her 17% of the Fever’s salary cap ($7 million) in 2027.

“We obviously haven’t got into roster construction yet,” Clark added on Thursday. “So we have to think about things with the cap and what we’re going to need and who we’re going to need to sign and what value they bring to the team.”

The former Rookie of the Year announced that she has no intention of leaving Indiana, and that winning remains her priority, as enticing as signing the EPIC extension may be.

“No matter what, I’m going to be here. I just want to do what’s best for the team and make sure we have the opportunity to be able to win championships. Like, that’s my main goal.”

It’ll be fascinating to see how the Fever, Clark, and Mitchell navigate the situation.

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