The Indiana Fever are looking to run it back with their core unit. They sprang into action this offseason by offering a number to Lexie Hull and Kelsey Mitchell.
While the exact figure is not revealed at the time of writing, the hope is that both stars are back in the Fever locker room and take the floor with star guard Caitlin Clark.
Indiana Fever Make Lexie Hull, Kelsey Mitchell Contracts Their First Priority
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Fever reporter Chloe Peterson wrote, “The Indiana Fever have, as expected, sent out a core qualifying offer to Kelsey Mitchell and a restricted qualifying offer to Lexie Hull. It officially gives Mitchell a supermax in exchange for exclusive negotiating rights and makes Hull a restricted free agent.”
The movie is an unsurprising one from Indiana, with Hull finishing her four-year rookie contract at the end of the 2025 WNBA season. Hull started 30 of her 44 games, taking over from an injured Sophie Cunningham. She averaged 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds, while shooting 36.7% from the 3-point line.
While being a restricted free agent, Hull had previously expressed her desire to stay with the Fever. Should she indeed agree to the core offer, that would mean the Fever retaining one of their vital cogs in the fold.
As for Mitchell, the franchise’s decision to give her a number signals its intent to retain another major player in its ranks. A locked-in deal suggests that the Fever made keeping Mitchell a priority. The latest move comes on the back of team superstar Clark weighing on Mitchell’s run with the side.
“You know, our first priority is to sign Kelsey Mitchell back,” the mercurial guard said during her appearance on NBC’s NBA coverage. “She was first-team All-WNBA last year; she’s kind of my running mate in the backcourt. She makes it really easy for me.” Mitchell averaged 20.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 44 games last season. There has been no indication yet that Mitchell will automatically sign with the side.
Should Mitchell and Hull stay back, the Fever core, along with Clark and Aliyah Boston, make them a formidable side. This also suggests continuity and adds to the chemistry the team has built playing alongside each other.
With this, the focus will move to Cunningham. The defense-first guard was one of the bright spots for the Fever last season, before a torn MCL ended her run. Her 3-point shooting and toughness add more depth to Indiana. Only time will tell if they can manage to retain her services with an offer that goes past what the open market has to share.
Hull and Mitchell’s decision comes at a time when the side prepares to go the distance in the upcoming season. The Fever have been playoff contenders, but will be confident of making a deeper run in 2026 when they take on the Dallas Wings in their season opener on May 9.
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