With the 2025 WNBA commerce deadline rapidly approaching, the Indiana Fever want to arrange their roster for his or her playoff run. After coming into the 12 months with authentic title aspirations, the Fever are on monitor to take part of their second consecutive postseason in simply over one month.
The Fever’s season has not gone in keeping with plan so far, with Caitlin Clark fluctuating out and in of the lineup and free agent acquisition DeWanna Bonner functionally quitting on the group. Indiana stays in a primary place to finish the 12 months on a excessive be aware, however a number of roster changes are greater than obligatory.
Not like the NBA, the WNBA commerce deadline is just not as chaotic and league-altering. But, if there’s one group within the league poised to execute a blockbuster deal, it’s the Fever. Of the groups whose rosters desperately want vital assist, Indiana is the one in the perfect place to nonetheless make some noise to finish the common season.
No matter what occurs transferring ahead, the Fever desperately want Clark again on the court docket. She may not but be the league’s MVP, however there are few gamers within the league extra useful to a group than Clark is to Indiana. Nevertheless, the Fever might help her make a push upon her return by making the suitable strikes on the 2025 WNBA commerce deadline.
SG/SF Tiffany Hayes
When the Fever signed Bonner, they imagined her being a veteran scorer to pair with Clark and Kelsey Mitchell. Bonner, 37, signed a one-year deal in free company. Regardless of her superior age, there have been few considerations about her affect on the group, as she joined Indiana after averaging 15.0 factors per sport with the Connecticut Solar in 2024.
Bonner was the group’s greatest signing in free company, however her temporary tenure couldn’t have gone a lot worse. The versatile scorer regarded nothing like a six-time All-Star in most of her outings, averaging simply 7.1 factors and three.8 rebounds in 9 video games with the group earlier than packing it in. After being away from the group for roughly one week, Bonner was lastly launched simply earlier than the Fever gained the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup.
Bonner was not the reply, however the Fever had the suitable thought by signing her. Including a veteran wing scorer, significantly one who can be efficient off the bench, is likely one of the prime lacking items this group wants. Tiffany Hayes, who’s at present averaging 12.7 factors per sport with the Golden State Valkyries, might be Indiana’s good match.
Earlier than becoming a member of the Valkyries, Hayes thrived in a sixth-player position with the Las Vegas Aces, who had been then gunning for his or her third consecutive WNBA title. She averaged simply 9.5 factors per sport in 2024, her fewest since her rookie season, however was instrumental all 12 months lengthy as a frontrunner and fast bucket-getter off the bench.
Hayes is likely to be having fun with her present life with the Valkyries, however Golden State would settle for the suitable supply. They is likely to be stingy with Hayes, however they don’t have any scarcity of guards to afford dropping her, significantly with Kate Martin and Kaitlyn Chen rising as stable items in Natalie Nakase’s rotation.
PF/C Aaliyah Edwards
In addition to a veteran sixth participant scorer, the Fever want so as to add measurement to their roster on the 2025 WNBA commerce deadline. Nearly as good as Aliyah Boston is, there’s a noticeable drop-off as soon as the three-time All-Star steps off the court docket for Damiris Dantas. Indiana wants so as to add an athletic, bodily paint presence who can anchor the second-team protection behind Boston.
Boston’s namesake, Aaliyah Edwards, is likely to be the best participant to spherical out the Fever’s rotation. Not solely is Edwards a gritty defender and bodily rebounder, however she additionally brings the kind of power Indiana wants each second of her 20 minutes per sport.
Edwards, a former first-round choose, was the budding younger expertise of the Washington Mystics’ frontcourt. However accidents slowed her down, and the next rise of Kiki Iriafen has turned her into an afterthought within the group’s rotation. It’s not that Washington wouldn’t need to hold Edwards, however Iriafen’s fast ascent will pressure them to maneuver her sooner fairly than later.
Edwards is averaging solely 6.4 factors, 3.6 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 0.3 blocks per sport in 2025 — a lower throughout the board from her rookie season. But, with Iriafen becoming in higher with Shakira Austin within the beginning lineup, the minutes have simply not been there for Edwards. The UConn alum is averaging simply 14.3 minutes per night time after enjoying 21.8 minutes as a rookie.
Even when she joins the Fever, Edwards may not be capable to climb her means again into the beginning lineup. Nevertheless, she would be capable to present all of the defensive power that Dantas lacks, whereas concurrently being a greater pick-and-roll menace with Indiana’s playmakers. Each time Stephanie White turns to her two-big lineup, Edwards can be a significantly better match alongside Boston than any of the group’s present choices are.
C Brittney Griner
For a similar causes that the Fever want to contemplate sending in a proposal for Edwards, in addition they want to watch Atlanta Dream heart Brittney Griner. Though not the identical kind of defender that Edwards is at this level in her profession, Griner is a a lot larger offensive menace.
Griner’s twelfth WNBA season has not been significantly profitable. Her numbers are career-lows throughout the board, averaging 10.6 factors, 5.6 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 1.1 blocks per sport by means of her first 25 outings of the 12 months. She signed with the Dream with hopes of forming a tantalizing frontcourt duo with Brionna Jones, however has as a substitute been extra of a nuisance than an asset.
Griner’s modest numbers might be a product of her decline — she turns 35 in October — however the match doesn’t appear proper in Atlanta. Jones and Griner are each paint-oriented facilities who need house to publish up on the block however can’t get out of one another’s means. The Dream’s offense operates way more fluidly with Naz Hillmon on the court docket, seemingly making the inefficient Griner a prime commerce candidate on the 2025 WNBA commerce deadline.
Whereas she may not be a match with the Dream, Griner may rediscover her rhythm with the Fever. Though Boston is one other paint-oriented heart, the 23-year-old has made monumental strides along with her playmaking on the excessive publish in 2025. Boston remains to be the most effective gamers within the league down low, however she has found her new affinity for her mid-range sport, each as a scorer and a facilitator.
A hypothetical Boston-Griner pairing wouldn’t be flawless, however at this level, something would appear like an improve for Griner. The ten-time All-Star may not be the defender she as soon as was, however Griner remains to be an outstanding shot blocker and has thrived with elite pick-and-roll playmakers like Clark earlier than.