The Indiana Fever continued upending their roster this week, with the WNBA franchise announcing the departures of both forward Katie Lou Samuelson and guard Erica Wheeler.
First, the team agreed to a contract buyout with Samuelson on Monday. The 27-year-old was on track to enter the final season of her two-year contract with the Fever, on a guaranteed $180,250 salary for 2025.
Indiana reportedly acquiesced to a $106,419 buyout — allowing the franchise just enough leftover funds to sign one additional veteran to a minimum contract. At the same time, that buyout ensures that Samuelson — who will officially become a free agent next week after the requisite five days on the wire — will be made whole even if she inks a minimum contract elsewhere.
Then on Wednesday, the Fever cleared up more space on their roster as free agent Wheeler opted to join Seattle.
Fever aims for the ultimate WNBA prize with refreshed roster
Indiana as been cleaning house this offseason, from sending their 2022 No. 2 draft pick NaLyssa Smith to the Dallas Wings two weeks ago to this week’s departures.
Exits aren’t the only changes to the Fever’s lineup, however. In the last few weeks, the team has successfully re-signed guard Kelsey Mitchell and traded for guard Sophie Cunningham while also stocking up on top veteran talent in free agents DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, and Sydney Colson.
The moves are part of Indiana’s plan to make a major playoff push in 2025, revamping their roster to build off their 2024 playoff appearance — the team’s first since 2016.
With a pair of WNBA Rookies of the Year in Caitlin Clark (2024) and Aliyah Boston (2023) forming the team’s young core, the Fever are building a tested veteran shield primed for the challenge of a deep postseason run — which can sometimes spell growing pains both on and off the court as fans and players alike grow accustomed to the rejiggered lineup.
That said, Clark is focusing on the fun part of smoothing out the Fever’s new-look roster, saying “I think it will be a lot of fun to get in the gym and be with my teammates and just start putting the pieces together and see what works or what doesn’t… I think that’s what’s super exciting.”
“The next few years are gonna be amazing for this franchise and will continue to be for hopefully 10-plus years,” she continued.
“Hopefully we win a few championships. They’re investing to help us be really good.”
