The Indiana Fever recognized the need to enhance their roster to compete for a WNBA championship and provide Caitlin Clark with additional support on both offense and defense. The team has successfully made significant moves in this direction.
The Fever re-signed Kelsey Mitchell, acquired Sophie Cunningham from the Phoenix Mercury, and added Natasha Howard, DeWanna Bonner, and Sydney Colson. In an offseason where the Las Vegas Aces traded Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks, the Fever’s strategic acquisitions have gone largely unnoticed but are among the most astute.
“I had the opportunity to work out with DB. As various offseason leagues and overseas commitments wind down, many players will return, and I’m looking forward to getting in the gym with my teammates to start piecing everything together and figuring out what works,” Clark mentioned during Bonner’s introductory press conference. “I believe we’ll have a lot of different options to explore, which is incredibly exciting.”
Clark, Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston all had standout performances in the 2024 season. Clark earned the Rookie of the Year award and garnered some MVP votes, while Mitchell was named an All-Star for the second consecutive year. Boston also made the All-Star team for the second time, building on her successful rookie campaign.
With the addition of players who have playoff experience and the leadership of coach Stephanie White—who led the Connecticut Sun to at least 27 wins in the past two seasons—the Fever have emerged as serious contenders for the WNBA title in 2025.
Bonner, a six-time All-Star and two-time WNBA champion, is known for her competitive spirit and unwavering support for her teammates. She demonstrated this during last season’s playoffs when she and Clark had a brief disagreement on the court. “It was just two competitive players wanting to win and push their team to succeed. Emotions and tensions were high during the playoffs,” she reflected.
Bonner also emphasized the importance of building chemistry with Clark through their workouts. “I’m here to offer my leadership and guidance. I don’t need to change her; she’s already an incredible player. I’m just excited to be here and hope to share some insights that can elevate her game,” Bonner stated.
As Clark enters her second WNBA season, expectations will be high for both her and the Fever.
