Fever GM Comes Clean on Ditching Temi Fagbenle as She Provides a Massive Update on Kelsey Mitchell Trade Rumor
One of the most buzzworthy storylines around the WNBA’s newest team, the Golden State Valkyries, is their bold move to snag former Indiana Fever forward Temi Fagbenle in the Expansion Draft. The move had people talking—not because Fagbenle isn’t a standout player, but because the Fever surprisingly left her unprotected, despite her key role on their roster.
Sue Bird offered her perspective on the situation during her podcast Touch More, speculating that the Fever’s decision could be tied to their new coach and potential shifts in team strategy. “When you have a new coach, that likely means a new style, and who knows who they value or don’t value,” Bird said.
While Bird’s theory makes sense, only the Fever’s general manager, Amber Cox, knows the full story. Cox recently joined Khristina Williams on an episode of In Case You Missed It, where the two dug into the team’s drafting process. Cox explained that leaving Fagbenle unprotected was part of a larger vision for the Fever’s future.
“You know, it’s really part of an overall plan,” Cox shared. “Hopefully, everybody will see it unfold during the offseason. The Expansion Draft is tough. Losing a player is hard. Protecting only six players on your roster is challenging when you’ve built great camaraderie in the second half of the season. But again, it’s part of a bigger plan that I hope will make sense as we move further into the offseason.”
USA Today via Reuters
“Well, look, we want Kelsey back,” Cox said during the interview. “She’s had an incredible career here, and I’ve said many times she’s been through some rough years with the Fever.”
Cox is absolutely right! Mitchell has been a cornerstone for the Fever, weathering tough seasons while playing alongside generational talents like Caitlin Clark. Her value to the team is undeniable.
The plan to keep Kelsey Mitchell is not new
Amber Cox has been vocal about her desire to re-sign the veteran guard. Free agency officially kicks off in January, with teams making qualifying offers and core designations between January 11-20. Negotiations will begin on January 21, and the Fever are entering the period with a significant $657,639 in cap space—enough to sign multiple max players.
It’s clear they hope one of those max contracts goes to Kelsey Mitchell. The former No. 2 overall pick has spent her entire career with the Fever, averaging a career-high 19.2 points per game last season while shooting an impressive 40.2% from beyond the arc.
As an unrestricted free agent, Mitchell is exploring her options but hasn’t ruled out staying in Indiana. “It’s definitely a lot of emotions and thoughts that flow through my mind,” she said during her exit interview in September. “Indy has always been a home for me, so it could be again. But with the shifting dynamics in my family and life, I need to be selfish in this process and do what’s best for me.”
While Mitchell is the top priority, Cox has hinted at other significant moves. The Fever, fresh off their first playoff appearance since 2016, are in a position to strengthen their roster further. With big-name forwards like Satou Sabally hitting free agency, the team seems poised to make waves this offseason. Indiana’s plans are ambitious, and fans have every reason to be excited about what’s to come.
