Future Free Agent Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever Must Stay.

The Indiana Fever must make keeping All-Star guard and soon to be WNBA free agent Kelsey Mitchell a priority.

Caitlin Clark has gotten the bulk of the attention. Clark’s connection with fellow number one overall draft pick Aliyah Boston has also been often discussed. However, it is the Indiana Fever’s third All-Star that has an uncertain future with the team.

Kelsey Mitchell, who has spent her entire career with the Fever, will be an unrestricted free agent this WNBA offseason. And if recent results are any indication, Indiana should do whatever it takes to keep her.

Mitchell has come out of the Olympics break on fire. Kelsey dropped 55 points between the last two games. But getting buckets for her comes naturally. KM is just behind CC for the overall team lead in scoring, putting up 17.7 points per game to Clark’s 17.8. Mitchell is averaging 16.5 points per game during her seven seasons in the W.

Kelsey has combined with Caitlin to form perhaps the most explosive backcourt in the league. And one of the reasons it works so well is that the two have different games, however, one trait they share is speed. And each has pushed the pace to the detriment of the opponent, with Clark often looking to find teammates, and Mitchell generally heading straight for the basket.

It is Mitchell’s ability to get her own shot that has also stood out. Kelsey’s creativity in one-on-one situations gives the Fever a different look than how Clark generally conducts the offense. It also provides an escape option in late shot clock possessions. Mitchell is shooing a blistering 53.8% from the floor in clutch minutes (a game within five points in the last five minutes).

Plus, Mitchell has also thrived in catch and shoot situations, which is a perfect complement to Clark’s playmaking. Kelsey is shooting 38.6% from three on the season. She has also worked well with her two All-Star teammates, having been assisted on 80 of her field goals by either Clark or Boston.

After the season, Kelsey will become a free agent, and she has stated that she wants to take advantage of the chance. But in an interview with Chloe Peterson of the Indianapolis Star, Fever general manager Lin Dunn expressed hope that Mitchell would recognize the great direction the organization is heading. With Mitchell, the organization has a few alternatives, as Peterson outlined, including signing her to a core qualifying offer. That would guarantee them a one-year supermax agreement in exchange for exclusive negotiation rights, which wouldn’t be a significant increase from her current salary.

It was also suggested that the Golden State Valkyries may select Kelsey in an expansion draft; however, Richard Cohen of Her Hoop Stats drew attention to the fact that teams were previously permitted to retain tenured unrestricted free players. The upcoming expansion draft’s rules are still under wraps. Whatever the circumstances, the Fever must prioritize retaining Mitchell. Because of what she’s now accomplishing, their future appears to be very promising. As it stands, the three All-Stars in Indianapolis will make the Fever a formidable opponent in the WNBA playoffs.