The Indiana Fever continue to build the roster amid the WNBA free agency frenzy. On Thursday, WNBA insider Roberta Rodrigues tweeted the latest update about the team:
“Damiris Dantas is set to re-sign with the Indiana Fever, a source tells me. Announcement to come this weekend.”
One fan reacted to the signing:
“This ain’t Alanna Smith, @AmberlCox.”
Another fan added:
“They really aren’t going in to sign any upgrades, are they? (GM) Amber (Cox) needs to go.
One more fan continued:
“This is our response to the super teams. We’re cooked, bruh.”
Another fan commented:
“Stephanie White didn’t even want to play her last year when half of the team were injured. Why are you bringing her back???”
One fan tweeted:
“Fever going to waste CC the same way the Buffalo Bills been wasting Josh Allen.”
Indiana GM Amber Cox gave Kelsey Mitchell a core designation, which could give the All-Star guard a supermax deal of $1.4 million. Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston combined will be roughly 1.2 million. Cox also gave a qualifying offer to Lexie Hull, expected to be at least 270,000, the minimum salary under the new CBA.
With roughly $4.1 million for four players, signing Alanna Smith does not seem likely due to the $7 million salary cap. ESPN reported early this month that the 2025 co-Defensive Player of the Year winner could receive at least $600,000. Smith seems to be out of Indiana’s salary cap range.
Damiris Dantas spent the last two seasons with the Fever, giving her and the team continuity. She knows how to play with Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell. Dantas is also familiar with coach Stephanie White’s system.
Amber Cox isn’t done re-constructing the roster, so she might add another frontcourt player. Last season, the team had Natasha Howard, a proven and reliable veteran. Cox could look for another player of such caliber or try to bring Howard for a price lower than what Alanna Smith is expected to command.
Fever Could Look In-House for Aliyah Boston Frontcourt Help
Besides Alanna Smith, the Indiana Fever have other options in free agency to provide All-Star center Aliyah Boston with frontcourt help. If Smith is too expensive, Indiana could go after Smith’s former teammate, Jessica Shepard, a player who stood out, particularly when MVP runner-up Napheesa Collier went out with an injury.
Shakira Austin and Azura Stevens are also potential frontcourt options that Amber Cox could be looking at.
If Cox doesn’t look for outside help, perhaps the Fever’s solution is already in-house. Makayla Timpson, last year’s rookie, could step up amid the salary cap crunch.
Timpson averaged 2.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in 7.1 minutes per game. After playing behind Boston and Natasha Howard, the 22-year-old forward/center might be ready for a bigger role for Indiana.
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