In Indiana, excitement is at an all-time high — and so is the roster count. As Caitlin Clark gears up for her first WNBA training camp with the Fever, she’s all smiles, calling the offseason moves “a really good job of finding pieces that fit.” But behind the scenes, a tricky puzzle is unfolding. With 15 players vying for a spot and only 11 to 12 allowed, the Fever find themselves juggling hope, hype, and hard decisions ahead of April 28.

Locked On Women’s Basketball recently tackled this exact issue. Jackie Powell asked about the camp outlook, and Fever beat reporter Tony East offered insight. He recalled that during the last offseason media availability, shortly after signing Sydney Colson, General Manager Amber Cox had made her intentions clear: the Fever wanted a “competitive camp.” East found that fascinating given the team’s offseason moves and the players already locked into guaranteed contracts.

Right now, the Fever have ten players who are, as East described, “locks or near locks to make the team and be a part of their team and make up a rotation.” These include heavy hitters: Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 pick and generational talent; Kelsey Mitchell, the franchise cornerstone who led the team in scoring and occupies 16.54% of the salary cap with a $254,924 salary; and Dewanna Bonner, a five-time All-Star and two-time WNBA champion. Alongside them are Natasha Howard, a three-time WNBA champion; Aaliyah Boston, the 2023 Rookie of the Year; Sydney Colson, a seasoned veteran; Lexie Hull, Sophie Cunningham, Damiris Dantas, and Brianna Turner — all proven contributors.

“That’s a starter and a backup at every position that also fills up almost their entire salary cap,” East explained. “They can only afford one more player beyond that to open the year, but they have five others coming in to camp.” Indeed, with a total cap allocation of $1,395,027 and only $112,073 left to spend on a 12th player, Indiana faces an intense numbers game. (Source : Sportrac)

Filling that final roster spot won’t be easy. Five hopefuls are vying for it: Bree Hall, Yvonne Ejim, Makyala Timpson, Jaelynn Brown, and Jilleane Alleyne. Adding intrigue, East noted that Jaelynn Brown, acquired via a trade with the Dallas Wings, had her best showing last year in a preseason game against the Fever. 

The 3 draftees — Makayla Timpson, Bree Hall, and Yvonne Ejim — also bring diverse skill sets that intrigued the Fever during the draft. “All bring something to the table and all fit their style in a way that made them appealing picks for the Fever,” East emphasized. Yet, with no clear positional need and a roster where every player is poised to hit free agency next year, the Fever’s decision will ultimately hinge on who impresses most in camp.

“It’s hard to really know,” East said. “I think it’s just going to be who is the most impressive of that Brown and draftees group because that’s kind of all it can be.”

The Fever’s training camp, once envisioned as a celebratory march into a new era, has now morphed into a high-stakes game of musical chairs. Only one seat remains — and the music is about to stop.

Caitlin Clark’s New Running Mate? Makayla Timpson Could Be a Game-Changer

While veteran Julliene Ayeene may have her seasoned experience, it’s Makayla Timpson who’s poised to make the biggest splash out of this crowded training camp. As Caitlin Clark embarks on her rookie season, Timpson is ready to back her up — and she’s not just any backup. Standing 6-foot-2 with a jaw-dropping 6-7 wingspan, this forward has all the makings of a game-changer. Drafted 19th overall, Timpson is the perfect mix of gritty defense, relentless hustle, and an offensive game that’s primed to explode.

At Florida State, Timpson became a defensive juggernaut — a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year semifinalist with a nose for blocking shots. She ranked fourth in the nation in blocks during her senior year, but it was her offensive leap that really got scouts talking. Timpson bumped her scoring average up to 17.5 points per game, proving she’s more than just a defender — she’s a two-way threat.

The Fever are thrilled to have her. GM Amber Cox describes Timpson as a “defensive powerhouse” who had an “incredible year” at Florida State, while ESPN’s Rebecca Lobo and Andraya Carter both emphasized that the right system is everything. And Indiana just might be her perfect fit.

With the pressure on Clark and Aliyah Boston to carry the load, Timpson’s arrival is a game-changing boost for the Fever. Don’t sleep on her — she’s not just camp filler, she’s the future. Watch out for this under-the-radar pick to make serious waves in Indiana’s rotation.