The Indiana Fever has experienced a season filled with ups and downs. Despite making their first playoff appearance in eight years, they were eliminated in the first round. Head coach Christie Sides was let go by the franchise, which has standout talents like Caitlin Clark, as they believed she wasn’t the right fit to lead them forward.

Stephanie White then entered the picture to replace Sides, marking her third stint with the Fever. However, with the new role comes the responsibility of forming a roster for the upcoming season, with the franchise eyeing a championship title. Among the names whose future is uncertain under White’s leadership, one is Kelsey Mitchell. And now, fans seem to have received an update on Mitchell’s status during White’s press conference.

On November 4, Stephanie White discussed the reformation of the Fever roster. However, she didn’t mention Kelsey Mitchell by name even once, despite emphasizing three times that the team’s future would be centered “100% around Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston.”

Though there’s no official update, White’s omission of Mitchell’s name has fueled speculation that Mitchell may be traded to another team. Moreover, Mitchell herself hinted at this possibility during an exit interview, stating, “I’m gonna do what’s best for me.”

Entering her first free agency this August, Mitchell has expressed interest in exploring other opportunities. “There’s definitely a lot of emotions and thoughts running through my mind. Everything is so fresh—I don’t know what I need or what I’m going to do,” she added.

Having lost her father earlier in the season, Mitchell remains open to a conversation with Fever management but is also considering discussions with other teams.

The Fever’s official writer sees things differently

Fever writer Scott Agness recently analyzed White’s comments and suggested that Mitchell might still have a future with the Fever. Agness believes the team will aim to keep the best backcourt in the WNBA intact with Clark and her mentor, Mitchell.

“I don’t know yet what Steph thinks about NaLyssa Smith or Kelsey Mitchell, Temi, Grace—you name it. But she did mention Aliyah, Caitlin, and Kelsey. Those three are foundational pieces of this franchise, so you’d expect them to stay,” Agness noted on Friday after White’s hiring as head coach.

While speculations are ongoing, there’s no denying Mitchell is an ideal backcourt partner for the 22-year-old Iowa native. Much like Clark’s initial adjustment to the league, Mitchell blossomed later in her WNBA career. Despite being drafted in 2018, her best season came in 2024.

In fact, the ‘Wonder Twins’, as fans call them, became the third duo in WNBA history to each record over 25 points and make more than five three-pointers in a game. The vet-rook duo has built a strong bond, and it would be wise for the Fever to retain Mitchell. For now, though, everything rests on hope.

How do you think the future would pan out for Mitchell? Let us know in the comments below.