It looks like the Indiana Fever are moving rapidly in free agency. Kelsey Mitchell is returning on a one-year supermax contract. Lexie Hull has re-signed. And now, Sophie Cunningham has agreed to return on a one-year deal. But given Caitlin Clark’s massive salary increase, this one-year pattern seems hard to ignore.
Could there be a reason behind it?
How Caitlin Clark’s Looming Raise Could Affect the Indiana Fever’s Salary Cap
Caitlin Clark is getting a massive salary bump this year thanks to the league’s new EPIC provisions. The Fever are now bound to deliver on that massive number. And when the franchise hits that point, it will definitely consume a massive chunk of its cap space.
Committing to multi-year deals for role players can give Indy some flexibility to accommodate Clark’s raise. So, a one-year deal for Cunningham and Mitchell does make some sense. It’s the safest way to keep the Fever’s core intact without putting the franchise through all the financial hassle.
Even ESPN’s Alexa Philippou spelled it out as directly as she could: “Caitlin Clark can get a big salary bump next year under the new EPIC provision. Fever would have to do some retooling to fit everyone under the cap.”
Not shocking to see Indiana dealing out one-year deals (Kelsey Mitchell too). Remember, Caitlin Clark can get a big salary bump next year under the new EPIC provision (Aliyah Boston is eligible for it this year). Fever would have to do some retooling to fit everyone under the cap https://t.co/ODpjbXqDod
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) April 12, 2026
The Fever aren’t trying to shortchange Mitchell or Cunningham. They’re just buying time until they know exactly what Clark’s numbers will look like. Only then can they move forward, rebuilding a roster around the number.
That said, Clark and her salary bump might not be the only factor. The WNBA cap is also rising again next year. Veterans are deliberately opting for shorter deals to hit the market right at their peak value.
Mitchell, who posted 20.2 points per game and ranked fifth in the MVP voting, recently carried Indiana through the playoffs without Clark. This kind of short-term deal can put her back on the market with maximum leverage to gain her worth.
She’s already making franchise history by becoming the first player to cross the $1 million salary mark. Her impact next season will be something to look forward to, considering all that she did last season.
And as for Cunningham, she comes back to the hardwood floor after her MCL tear. She gets another chance to prove her health and reset her value. Last season, she averaged 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 43.2% from beyond the arc in 30 games before getting injured.
Ideally, both players gain massive incentives here, despite Clark’s salary raise.
