Caitlin Clark wants Kelsey Mitchell to be with Indiana Fever for life: 'We need her'
· Yahoo Sports
INDIANAPOLIS — Kelsey Mitchell will be the first domino to fall in the Indiana Fever offseason.
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She has to be.
An unrestricted free agent for the first time in her career, the 30-year-old guard became the franchise's first $1 million player in April and following her historic 2026 campaign, she will command a similar salary with her next contract — likely with a longer term.
The Fever have seven players under contract for 2027 and are projected to have approximately $3.6 million in cap space to play with, according to Spotrac.
Once a decision is made on Mitchell's future, the front office can move forward with negotiating a possible EPIC extension with superstar Caitlin Clark and shoring up specific position groups (i.e. frontcourt and wing).
General manager Amber Cox said Saturday that keeping the big three of Mitchell, Clark and center Aliyah Boston together is "a priority."
Coach Stephanie White referred to-resigning Mitchell as Indiana's No. 1 priority, first in the aftermath of the team's Game 3 loss to Las Vegas, then again during her end-of-season news conference.
And on Thursday, Clark declared her stance on Mitchell's future in no uncertain terms: "I hope I get to play alongside Kelsey for the rest of my career. … There's nobody I would rather share the backcourt with other than her."
The second pair to average over 20 points per game apiece in WNBA history (forward Diana Taurasi and guard Cappie Pondexter, 2008), the historically prolific pairing of Mitchell and Clark generated a combined 47 points per game for an offense that averaged 96 points as a unit.
The All-WNBA first team honorees made it all look effortless, demonstrating a unique chemistry as they both displayed their individual scoring prowess.
The two have texted since the season ended, Clark said, wrapping up the season and, from her side, expressing her appreciation for Mitchell.
"Kelsey's always had my back and always appreciated my game," Clark said. "She's always said a lot of really positive things about me as an individual and a basketball player. … She's lifted me up in what I can provide to this organization and the way I've been able to perform, and I'd like to think I've been able to help her and help uplift her game, too, and show the world how great a person she is and great player she is."
The opportunity to run it back with Clark and Boston may incentivize a return to Indy for Mitchell, but make no mistake, she will be paid regardless of where she goes.
The 2018 Ohio State grad averaged a career-high 24.7 points on a career-best 50.9% shooting (45% from 3, also a new high-water mark). She set the single-season scoring record with 1,086 points and constructed a record-setting run of 27 consecutive games with at least 20 points.
"I often tell her, 'I feel like I have the best seat in the house every single night, because I get to watch you do your thing and be right next to you,'" Clark said.
"This organization and these fans have really rallied around her and have supported her," she said. "More than anything, I hope she comes back here and the arena is chanting 'M-V-P' for her again, because that's what she deserves."
The question will be how the Fever navigate the salary cap.
Boston's supermax deal will pay her 22.14% of the cap beginning next season (salary projected at $1.55 million) and a potential EPIC extension for Clark could pay her up to 17% of the cap — though she was noncommittal Thursday on if she would sign an such a deal in an effort to maintain cap space.
Navigating cap constraints while building a roster capable of competing for championships is a challenge for Cox and the Fever front office.
For Clark — and the rest of the Indiana Fever players under contract — it's all hands on deck for Mitchell's recruitment.
"We're gonna work our butt off to get her back. We're going to recruit her as hard as we can," Clark said. "We need her. We love her. … I've shared with Kelsey how much I really want her back and how much I would love to continue playing with her. Hopefully we can keep her here for the rest of her career."
Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar's Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Caitlin Clark wants Kelsey Mitchell to be with Indiana Fever for life: 'We need her'
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