The Fever’s 2024 season was a tale of two halves – an electric offense and a dismal defense. When Caitlin Clark and her teammates lit up the scoreboard, they struggled defensively. And to no surprise, the Fever ranked second-worst in the league in defensive rating, giving up a staggering 87.7 points per game. This defensive Achilles heel would sometimes cancel out their offensive strengths, much to the frustration of fans and coaches alike.

Realizing this glaring gap, the Fever’s front office has made a smart decision to try to fix their defense. To address their need for a forward, Indiana swiftly signed Brianna Turner, formerly of the Chicago Sky, using their remaining $116,250 salary cap. In doing so, it very much addresses the team’s biggest need right now and could ultimately end up being a difference-maker in 2025.

But what makes her a perfect fit? The 28-year-old has a defensive pedigree that matches Indiana’s needs. Turner, a two-time All-WNBA Defensive First Team selection (2020, 2021), has made her name as one of the league’s top lockdown defenders. Her shot-blocking ability and rebounding will give a swift upgrade to a Fever frontcourt that was challenged in rim protection last season.

Fever GM Amber Cox highlighted Turner’s defensive impact, stating, “Throughout her career, Brianna has established herself as an elite defender in the WNBA. She adds depth to our post rotation, bringing exceptional shot blocking and rebounding abilities to our team. Brianna’s basketball IQ is off the charts, she plays with great pace and is another fantastic veteran presence for us, both on and off the court.”

Turner isn’t the only veteran joining Indiana this offseason. The Fever also made waves by signing DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard. Both of whom bring championship experience and defensive skills to the table. This isn’t just a random shuffle—it’s a calculated effort to build a balanced, defense-first team that can actually compete at a high level.

Reinforcing Caitlin Clark’s Game

If there’s anyone who’s going to profit the most from this entire series of moves, it’s Caitlin Clark. The Fever are not merely assembling a roster — they’re assembling a team that plays to her strengths and addresses all the holes. Defense has been their Achilles’ heel, and now they’re patching that hole with weathered pros who know what it takes to win.

Even Clark is excited about how things will be different: “They know what it takes to win, they know what it takes to get to the Finals, they know what it takes to win championships. I think it’s exactly what we needed in our locker room”. To have that kind of confidence in your work says a lot.

Although, Fever isn’t going to go from the league’s worst defense to the league’s best overnight. But adding Turner to pair with Howard and Bonner gives the Fever a strong core. If these veterans can aid in a better defensive culture and mentor younger players like Aliyah Boston, there is no reason why Indiana won’t see a bump in their defensive metrics in 2025.

With the addition of new personnel for clear needs, it will be a matter of how the new pieces fit on the court as the Fever prepares for the upcoming campaign. Clark’s offensive genius, including some potentially ready-to-implement changes, combined with Boston’s continued development and the addition of defensive-oriented veterans, has generated significant buzz surrounding the team. If Turner can regain her All-Defensive form and the new pieces quickly come together, the Indiana Fever may have finally put the finishing touches on their most urgent puzzle piece, setting the stage for a playoff run in 2025.