Indiana Fever superstar guard Caitlin Clark is mired in a shooting slump, averaging just 13.0 points on 10-for-36 shooting (4-for-16 from deep) over her last three games.
Whenever these slumps occur in the middle of the season, rumors of a trade are expected to circulate, and Clark is not immune to being involved in one.
Jeff Goodman Laughs Off Jason Whitlock’s Viral Caitlin Clark Trade Rumor
On Friday, former ESPN and Fox Sports columnist Jason Whitlock started a social media frenzy. He posted a trade rumor on X that the Fever are looking to trade the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft to the Los Angeles Sparks.
Whitlock also said he expects UCLA women’s basketball head coach Cori Close to become the Sparks’ next head coach after the trade.
“The Indiana Fever are planning to ship Caitlin Clark to the Los Angeles Sparks. I expect UCLA coach Cori Close to be the head coach of the Sparks,” Whitlock wrote.
The Indiana Fever are planning to ship Caitlin Clark to the Los Angeles Sparks. I expect UCLA coach Cori Close to be the head coach of the Sparks.
— Jason Whitlock (@jasonwhitlock) June 5, 2026
His post went viral on social media, already reaching 2 million views on X at the time of posting, and WNBA enthusiasts had mixed reactions to his tweet. However, basketball analyst and Field of 68 co-founder Jeff Goodman isn’t a fan of what Whitlock spread.
Goodman appeared disgusted by what Whitlock had spilled, sarcastically commenting on the post.
“Jason Whitlock trying to break news for the first time in his life. This should age well,” he said.
Jason Whitlock trying to break news for the first time in his life.
This should age well … https://t.co/Z6LEMudWT2
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 5, 2026
Whitlock, who hosts a program for Blaze Media titled “Fearless with Jason Whitlock,” retorted to Goodman’s post by laughing at the basketball insider’s comment before calling him out for exercising journalistic integrity.
“Lol. Jeff try to have some ethics and integrity for the first time in your life. You’re the original Dianna Russini, and everybody knows it,” Whitlock replied.
Lol.
Jeff try to have some ethics and integrity for the first time in your life. You’re the original Dianna Russini, and everybody knows it. https://t.co/kwWT091F8b
— Jason Whitlock (@jasonwhitlock) June 5, 2026
The trade rumor and coaching change that Whitlock spread on social media remain unverified as of now. Clark remains under contract with the Fever on a four-year rookie deal that will keep her with the team through the 2027 season.
After that season, Clark will become a Restricted Free Agent, and the Indiana Fever franchise will have the opportunity to match any offer from another team that the superstar guard negotiates with.
As for Close, UCLA rewarded the veteran bench tactician with a four-year extension, keeping her at the helm of the Bruins through the 2029-30 NCAA women’s basketball season. She has led UCLA to its historic first NCAA women’s title and has expressed excitement about the team’s future since clinching that breakthrough.
