The 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft is less than 24 hours away, giving the Indiana Fever a final chance to look over their roster and protect their key pieces for next season. The draft will consist of two rounds, with the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire each selecting up to six players each, per round.
Each team can protect five players from being included in the selection pool; this number is down from six from last year’s expansion draft. With just five spots, teams will undoubtedly need to put valuable players at risk of being swiped.
For a team like the Fever, which reached the WNBA semifinals last season, thanks in no small part to the team’s effort as a group, even losing one key player could prove problematic.
Here’s a look at five players that the Fever risks losing to the Toronto Tempo or Portland Fire in the WNBA expansion draft:
- Sophie Cunningham
- 8.6 pts, 3.4 rbs and 1.2 ast | FG% – 46.9, 3P% – 43.2
- Chloe Bibby
- 4.8 pts, 1.8 rbs | FG% – 38.2, 3P% – 40.5
- Sydney Colson
- 2.4 pts, 2.0 ast | FG% – 34.2, 3P% – 27.7
- Natasha Howard
- 11.4 pts, 6.6 rbs | FG% – 55.2, 3P% – 18.2
- Odyssey Sims
- 10.1 pts, 2.4 rbs and 3.8 ast | FG% – 41.4, 3P% – 32.8
Cunningham joined the Fever last summer and quickly endeared herself to the fans. Her shooting from 3-point range, defensive effort and locker room presence were key talking points about her first season in Indiana, making her an established part of Stephanie White’s rotation.
Chloe Bibby signed with the Fever mid-season, arriving on a hardship contract. She did not get enough playing time to make a sizeable impact. Regardless, her 3-point shooting is valued making her an attractive option for either expansion team.
Sydney Colson is a veteran guard entering her 11th season in the league. While her numbers are modest, her two-way impact and leadership could make her a viable pick in the WNBA expansion draft.
Natasha Howard is yet another veteran whose skill set will be appreciated by the expansion teams. The former Defensive Player of the Year would be a solid pickup for most.
Lastly, Odyssey Sims will be another player to watch out for. She also came to Indiana on a hardship contract last season, but made an immediate impact, becoming a key part of White’s rotation in the playoffs. She is a backup guard, who drove winning on a playoff team and is at risk of being picked in the upcoming WNBA expansion draft.
WNBA Expansion Draft: Who is the Indiana Fever expected to protect?
When it comes to which players the Fever will protect, the choices seem clear for the team. According to multiple reports, the team is expected to protect the following players:
- Caitlin Clark
- Aliyah Boston
- Kelsey Mitchell
- Lexie Hull
- Makayla Timpson
Protecting Clark, who is widely regarded as the best player in the WNBA should be a no brainer for the Fever. Aliyah Boston, the three-time All-Star entering her fourth season in the league is also an easy choice.
Kelsey Mitchell was key for Indiana in last season’s playoffs and led the team in scoring. She finished fifth in MVP voting last season. With the growth Mitchell has shown in White’s system, it is hard to imagine the Fever parting ways with her.
Lexie Hull falls in the same category due to her never-ending grit and tenacity. Her hustle plays and clutch moments from last season were a driving force behind the Fever’s run to the semifinals.
Lastly, Makayla Timpson, who will enter her second season in the league in 2026 has showcased solid potential. However, the last protection spot for the Indiana Fever is reportedly going to be a toss up between Timpson and Cunningham.
