The Indiana Fever is gearing up for an offseason that includes navigating the challenges of the upcoming WNBA Expansion Draft. On Friday, the Golden State Valkyries will begin building their team by selecting players from the available pool across the league. Each of the 12 existing WNBA teams, including the Fever, has submitted a list of six protected players, shielding them from being drafted. However, this list remains private until after the draft, leaving teams like the Fever to prepare for the unexpected.
Kelly Krauskopf, the Fever’s president of business and basketball operations, is no stranger to the dynamics of expansion drafts. With years of experience, including a significant role in the team’s initial roster construction in 2000, Krauskopf is confident in navigating this process. Despite the complexities, she is unphased by the challenge ahead. Having witnessed multiple expansion drafts firsthand, she acknowledges that it is part of the business, understanding that one of Indiana’s players will likely be selected by the Valkyries.
Indiana’s offseason strategy hit a pause after the hiring of new head coach Stephanie White on November 1. Krauskopf knew roster improvements would have to wait until the draft concluded, which left her team in a holding pattern. Despite this, Krauskopf expressed no anxiety about the situation. Instead, the team is focused on preparing for the eventual loss of a player and considering how to address potential gaps in their roster. One of the main concerns is the depth of the team, especially after the Fever’s early exit from the WNBA playoffs.
The 2024 playoffs revealed that Indiana’s bench lacked the depth needed to support stars like Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. In their second-round sweep by the Connecticut Sun, Clark played almost the entire series, logging only four minutes off the court. The lack of bench support became painfully clear during the elimination game, where only three players came off the bench. This weakness has been a point of focus for the Fever, particularly as they prepare for the potential loss of key players during the expansion draft.
Though Indiana has a core of strong players, including Clark and Boston, the draft could make it even harder to build out their bench. Expansion drafts typically pose a significant challenge for teams looking to add depth, and Krauskopf’s experience confirms that. However, she is optimistic about the opportunities the draft could bring if the team approaches the situation creatively. It’s a delicate balance—Indiana must prepare for the worst while staying open to new strategies that could benefit the team long term. The Fever’s preparation for the draft shows that, while the offseason may be uncertain, they are ready to navigate this critical phase with thoughtful planning and an eye toward future success.
