Fever Make Clear They Want Key Caitlin Clark Teammate Back Next Season
The All-Star guard has become an unrestricted free agent for the first time, and she has admitted that she’s excited to test her value in the market.
Mitchell is expected to be a hot commodity after helping the Fever return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. She led the team in scoring with career-highs of 19.2 points per game and 46.8% field goal shooting.
Fever head coach Christie Sides has made it clear that she wants the 28-year-old dynamo back to retain her prolific backcourt tandem with rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.
On Tuesday, it was new Fever president of basketball and business operations Kelly Krauskopf’s turn to sound off on Mitchell’s situation.
“We wouldn’t be where we are today without Kelsey Mitchell,” said Krauskopf in a video posted by IndyStar’s Chloe Peterson on X. “She’s clearly a very foundational piece.
“She’s got seven years of being in and out of this building, she went through a lot as we were preparing to be even better.”
Krauskopf, who returned to her role with the Fever after exiting in 2017, added that she was the one who suggested drafting Mitchell after watching her at a Team USA workout camp. Indiana selected her as the No. 2 overall pick in 2018.
“She never put her head down, she kept playing hard and did everything she could,” said Krauskopf, who was part of Team USA’s selection committee from 2004-16. “She’s extremely important to the success of the future (of the Fever).
“We intend to have lot of conversations and make sure she knows that.”