Nearly a week has passed since the Indiana Fever made waves in the basketball world by leaving Temi Fagbenle unprotected during last Friday’s WNBA Expansion Draft. The Golden State Valkyries seized the opportunity, securing Fagbenle, Caitlin Clark’s frontcourt partner, as part of their inaugural 2025 roster. Pre-draft analyses from ESPN, The Athletic, and CBS Sports had widely predicted Fagbenle would be among the Fever’s six protected players. However, with protected lists kept confidential, Indiana fans were blindsided when Golden State announced its selection of the 32-year-old center.
Amber Cox, the Fever’s general manager and COO, was among the few privy to the decision. In an interview released Thursday, she elaborated on the rationale behind this controversial move. “Expansion necessitates sacrifice,” Cox acknowledged. “You never want to part with a player, especially one as pivotal as Temi, who played a critical role in our success last year. However, it’s the cost of growth.” Despite her limited regular-season contributions, Fagbenle became a key figure during the playoffs, starting Indiana’s final 2024 postseason game. She averaged 18.9 minutes per game—the team’s sixth-highest—and boasted a 12.5% rebounding rate while maintaining a positive net rating of +1.4.
Cox emphasized that the decision was part of a larger, calculated approach. “This wasn’t made in isolation,” she remarked, her expression laced with intrigue. “It’s one component of a broader strategy that we anticipate will unfold over the offseason.” She hinted at ambitious plans to fortify the Fever’s roster, underscoring the franchise’s commitment to building around Caitlin Clark. International free-agent scouting has become a focal point, and re-signing star guard Kelsey Mitchell remains a top priority for the front office.
The unexpected loss of Fagbenle injected an element of unpredictability into the WNBA offseason, but it appears to be only the beginning for Indiana. Cox’s remarks suggest that the Fever’s management is crafting a bold blueprint for the team’s future. Her confidence in the strategy indicates a deliberate balancing act between short-term losses and long-term aspirations.
As the Fever look to navigate this pivotal offseason, the decision to leave Fagbenle unprotected might ultimately be a harbinger of sweeping changes. Whether Indiana’s gambit pays off will depend on how effectively their plans take shape, but one thing is certain: the franchise is not content to rest on its laurels.
