Despite falling short of replicating their championship run from 2012, the Indiana Fever’s season was still one to celebrate and set high expectations for the future. As the players now head into their offseason breaks, the bittersweet reality of farewells begins. Some players may be looking for new opportunities and exploring other options, and it seems that forward NaLyssa Smith could be among those considering a change after recent updates.

A recent post on X highlighted a subtle yet telling change in NaLyssa Smith’s Instagram profile. The tweet shared a snapshot of the Fever forward’s bio, revealing that the official Indiana Fever account was missing. Instead, it now features only the WNBA’s handle. The tweet read, “NaLyssa Smith’s bio previously listed  @IndianaFever, but she has officially changed it to @WNBA.”

While Lyss’ Instagram bio update could have been dismissed as a personal choice, her recent post on X adds weight to speculation about her potential departure from the Indiana franchise.

The 24-year-old forward shared a heartfelt message that felt more like a farewell than a simple season wrap-up. In her post, she expressed deep gratitude to everyone who played a role in her journey with the Fever, hinting at her eagerness to embark on a new adventure.

She concluded her message with a note, saying, “regardless of anything that happens in my future i hope yall continue to rock with the kid!! all i eva wanted to do was jus hoop & show the world who i am but trust me, YALL WILL SEE!! #1OUTT.”  

The Baylor grad joined Fever in 2022 after getting selected as second overall by the Fever in drafts. She played three seasons and featured in a total of 105 games for Fever. The 2023 season was undoubtedly NaLyssa Smith’s standout year, where she averaged an impressive 15.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.

However, this season proved to be more challenging for her, as she managed to score only 10.6 points per game and found herself on the bench for several games. As Smith’s struggles potentially prompt her to seek a fresh start with a new team, the Indiana Fever now face the task of finding a suitable replacement for her position. Fortunately, it appears they may already have a candidate in mind.

Indiana Fever might have an option to look for if NaLyssa Smith departs

Not within a week back, the league witnessed the seasoned player announcing her departure from the Arlington based franchise, Dallas Wings. It was the the 3x WNBA champion Natasha Howard who decided to explore new options as her tweet read “I look forward to this next chapter with a new team and new city.” Although there was no clarity on Howard’s next destination, Fever fans went berserk requesting the former Wings player to join Indiana.

While those fan requests were fueled by enthusiasm, Natasha Howard could be an excellent addition to fill the potential void left by NaLyssa Smith’s departure. Both are formidable post players, but Howard brings a wealth of experience, having spent over a decade in the league. Her veteran presence would make her an ideal fit for the Fever’s starting lineup, especially given the team’s average age of just 24.

On top of that, Howard already shares a history with the Fever, as they were the team that first brought her into the league by drafting her in 2014. The following season, she and the Fever reached the WNBA Finals, though they ultimately fell to the Minnesota Lynx. Howard is also in top form, finishing this season with an impressive 17.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

As the Indiana Fever navigate the offseason, the potential departure of NaLyssa Smith opens the door for new opportunities. Fans eagerly await the final look of the roster, particularly with Natasha Howard’s promising possibility as they say it aloud: “Come to Indy.”