When all looked bleak and Kelsey Mitchell called for conscious decisions from the team, the Indiana Fever ended up finding an answer in their new addition. Hardship signee Aari McDonald steadily rose to be the key to the team’s defense, getting them back on track for 2 consecutive wins. A team that was slipping farther away from the top 4 pre-season predictions suddenly looked to be holding on. But just when calls to keep McDonald on the team become louder, the Fever find themselves in a fix.
The emergency signee came in after the Fever were left shorthanded due to Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham’s injuries. And in this grace period, Aari McDonald has managed to impress in the first two games, averaging 9.5 points and 3.6 assists. That offering of stability has been better than that of Brianna Turner’s 0.6 points per game contribution over 6 games. Makayla Timpson hasn’t exactly put up a show either, averaging 1.3 points.
So the conversations naturally have been about replacing one of the existing unprotected players to fit McDonald in. However, Rachel DeMita is skeptical of the Fever making the move.
“Where it gets a little bit sticky is just the politics of it all and that has also been something that has been discussed within the media, within social media. The Indiana Fever made this big play of all of these free agency signings. Now, if they cut somebody that they signed during free agency that they were hyping up, is that a bad look for the Indiana Fever with so many of these players being on one-year deals?” the analyst questioned on the Courtside Club.
A major free agency storm is brewing for 2026, fueled by the evolving CBA landscape that is expected to open the door for significantly higher player salaries and more roster flexibility. With numerous players currently on one-year contracts, the league is poised for a dramatic offseason where stars and key contributors could shift teams in unprecedented numbers.
This influx of movement also raises the stakes for team front offices. With so many new signings expected, cutting a player too quickly or misjudging their fit could have consequences, both in terms of team chemistry and public perception. But according to De Mita, they have no time for politics like this.
“Honestly, I think at this point you just have to treat the team as a business, you have to do what’s best for the team, and the Fever told us they were a win-now team. Caitlin said it herself, she will be happy with nothing less than a championship. So if the Indiana Fever want to win now, it seems like AR McDonald is really proving herself,” she added.
DeMita has got a point. This decision ultimately hinges on the priorities of the franchise. Caitlin Clark has elevated expectations by openly declaring a championship as the goal for this season, and signing Aari McDonald to replace an underperforming player would be a strong statement that aligns with that win-now mindset. McDonald brings speed, defensive intensity, and experience that could help stabilize the backcourt and take pressure off Clark in key stretches.
We have previously dived in on how Aari McDonald would help Fever explore more tactical ideas. It also sends a clear message to the locker room and the fan base that the organization is fully committed to contending and making every game count.
However, if the front office is focused on a long-term strategy and is anticipating a broader roster overhaul during the 2026 free agency period, it might make more sense to finish out the current season as is and consider signing Aari in the offseason. It is a delicate balance between making an immediate push for success and preserving flexibility for the future. However, even if the Fever consider replacing one of their players with McDonald, the chances are narrow.
Indiana will have to wait for 10 days once the guard’s contract with the franchise has been terminated to bring her back. With teams like the Chicago Sky and Connecticut struggling with injuries or international players leaving, it is a sure shot one of them hops on the opportunity in that period. So yes, the Fever are in a fix here. But all is not gloom and doom.
While they are juggling with this decision, a veteran on the squad has stepped up big time.
Kelsey Mitchell Fires Back at Haters, Named Player Of The Week
The Indiana Fever have been streaky throughout the season, especially with the loss of Caitlin Clark. While she has been away from the team in terms of on-court action, the Fever have gone 2-2. They were once 0-2 before Kelsey Mitchell said,’ Not Anymore’.
Mitchell averaged 20.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game in Week 3, helping lead Indiana to an unbeaten week after dropping their first two games without Clark. This was a solid return after a slow start to the season that welcomed criticism. But it wasn’t without reason.
Mitchell averaged just 29 percent from the three-point range in the month of May, in addition to that, she shot just 38.7 % from the field. She herself had called for an improvement from her side by accepting what she and the team were struggling with.
“I think the one thing that we’ve all been struggling with lately is just making conscious decisions, unconsciously,” she had explained. ”I think that we’ve been overthinking a bit, in every aspect, the last couple of games.”
But now her shots are falling, and her decision-making has noticeably improved. Her drives to the basket have become smoother and more effective, consistently resulting in points and energizing the team. In recognition of her growth and impact, Stephanie White and the squad surprised Kelsey Mitchell with a special award after practice, celebrating her progress and leadership.
head coach Stephanie White & the squad surprised Kelsey Mitchell after shootaround today to celebrate her being named @WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week pic.twitter.com/fGrbv3qrIl
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 10, 2025
Kelsey Mitchell is back to her 2024 form, and that’s exactly what the Indiana Fever needed. The team looked adrift earlier in the season, struggling to find momentum without Caitlin Clark. But the arrival of Aari McDonald and Mitchell’s resurgence have changed the narrative. Now, even if Clark misses one more game beyond the originally planned four, the Fever have enough offensive firepower and backcourt stability to keep winning and stay on track in their push for a championship.
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