The Indiana Fever made some huge strikes final yr heading into Caitlin Clark’s second WNBA season. There have been numerous vital adjustments on the roster, with maybe none extra impactful than the commerce for Sophie Cunningham.
The Fever gave up NaLyssa Smith, a 2025 first-round decide and a 2027 third-round decide in a four-team trade that noticed Cunningham take her abilities to Indiana.
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The transfer paid dividends for the Fever. Cunningham averaged 8.6 factors on 46.9% taking pictures, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.7 triples per sport. She additionally established herself as a vocal chief on the squad, whereas additionally stepping up because the Fever’s enforcer on the court.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) in opposition to the Phoenix Mercury within the first half of a WNBA sport.© Mark J&interval; Rebilas-Imagn Images
(© Mark J&interval; Rebilas-Imagn Images)
There is at present quite a lot of uncertainty surrounding Cunningham’s future with the Fever, although. Her contract has expired, making her an unrestricted free agent heading into the 2026 season.
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Cunningham and the Fever received some essential information on Sunday evening. This comes within the type of an enormous WNBA free company replace from famend ESPN reporter Alexa Philippou.
According to Philippou, the WNBA free company dates have been set. The negotiation interval between groups and gamers will likely be from Wednesday to Friday. Moreover, gamers can formally signal new contracts on Saturday.
This implies that the Fever can formally enter negotiations with Cunningham on Wednesday. Both events have already expressed their want to achieve a deal, however nothing will likely be official till Cunningham indicators a brand new contract on Saturday on the earliest.
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For context, Cunningham earned $100,000 with the Fever final season. She will likely be trying to earn extra in 2026 and past now {that a} new Collective Bargaining Agreement is in place.
Apart from Cunningham, the Fever will even want to barter new offers with their different free brokers. This contains key gamers corresponding to Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull, to call a pair.
Related: Caitlin Clark Makes Her Opinion of UCLA Coach Cori Close Very Clear
This story was initially printed by Athlon Sports on Apr 6, 2026, the place it first appeared within the WNBA part. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
