The WNBA offseason just got a whole lot more interesting. Starting Tuesday, the league has opened doors for free agency and trades, negotiations, and predictions are already in the talks. Unrivaled has been one hot-spot for meetings with players like Brittney Griner and Courtney Vandersloot exploring opportunities. While some more are yet to come in the picture, a possibility involving Caitlin Clark’s team hasn’t evaded Candace Parker. 

“I think she’ll end up in Golden State,” said the 3x champion, referring to Indiana Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell possibly joining the Golden State Valkyries. Let that sink in for a moment. It was the same Mitchell who, with Clark, lit up the 2024 season with 38.4 combined points per game. Their chemistry was electric. Breaking up that duo is almost unthinkable—but here we are. 

Let’s face it—Mitchell’s future with the Fever has been up in the air for a while. Even with the franchise’s notable interest, one recently reflected in their Core qualifying offer, the uncertainty hasn’t faded. 

As an unrestricted free agent for the first time, Mitchell has been clear on not ruling out the idea of playing elsewhere. In fact, she admitted in November, “I’ll be honest, I don’t know what colors I’ll be wearing next year.” Though the core offer and coach Stephenie White’s repeated assertion of belief in her could change things, we never know. 

“When you think about Caitlin Clark and a generational talent, and the sometimes overlooked Kelsey Mitchell who has been one of the hardest workers that I’ve ever seen… you think about the pieces that we have, and putting that all together,” White said earlier this month. Considering how the Fever management made it known Mitchell was a priority this off season, the core offer wasn’t a surprise. But Mitchell is yet to speak.

The offer restricts her from exploring the free agency, but she could opt for a sign-and-trade deal if she still wants out. While Candance Parker hasn’t given specifics beyond Golden State as a potential landing spot, her confidence in Mitchell’s departure feels significant. And if she’s right, what happens to Caitlin Clark and the Fever?

Losing a veteran like Mitchell would be a tough blow for the Fever. Not only would they lose her leadership, but the pressure on Caitlin Clark would skyrocket. The franchise, looking for the experienced to build on to their foundation of Clark and Aliyah Boston, would face quite a task, given the competitive free agency market. 

Jewell Loyd and a few others are shaking things up too

As if Mitchell’s situation wasn’t enough, Jewell Loyd is adding her own drama to this year’s WNBA offseason. Even though she isn’t a free agent, she’s requested a trade from the Seattle Storm. Yep, after spending nine seasons with the team, Loyd is ready to move on, and her decision has fans buzzing.

The big question now is: where will Loyd end up? There’s a lot of speculation. She might head to her hometown team, the Chicago Sky, or in case of Kelsey Plum’s exit, towards the Las Vegas Aces. But while she is still tagged with the Storm, another long-time player for her franchise, Brittney Griner, is testing the market too. 

Having signed with the Pheonix Mercury since 2013, Griner is now open for opportunities. “I want to show off my skills for free agency,” she says as executives made their way to Unrivaled for talks with some of the biggest stars in the W. Vandersloot too has been considering, admitting there has been influence going around at the 3×3 league, with players painting a picture of teams.

Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas are a few others looking for a change in scenario. The matters are only just beginning before the players start signing contracts come Feb 1st.