The Indiana Fever boat was sinking after Caitlin Clark’s injury. They lost two straight games to the Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun. Those are teams they were expected to beat even without Clark, as the Mystics are the youngest team in the league and rebuilding. The Connecticut Sun did not win until that game against the Fever.
Aari McDonald’s signing on emergency gave them a ray of hope. She turned out to be exactly the kind of player they expected her to be, the stabilizing influence contributing in both offense and defense. However, now the return date of the injured Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark is looming and there is an expiry date to how long McDonald can stay. This National Broadcaster has revealed that it won’t be easy to retain McDonald.
Robin Lundberg said on his Youtube Channel, “From the facts of the situation, it seems like there’s not a real clear-cut path to the Fever just keeping McDonald. It would be great if it were just simple but it doesn’t seem to be simple.”
McDonald is on an emergency hardship contract. It is a special rule in the WNBA where teams are allowed to sign players if their active player count drops below 10 and Indiana’s roster was in such a state of flux with Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson walking off injured in the same game. Caitlin Clark was already out with her quad injury for two weeks, which brought their count to just 8.
The WNBA’s hardship contract rules are a lifeline for teams in a pinch, but they come with a catch. Once Clark and Cunningham are back, the Fever have to let McDonald go unless they can free up a roster spot. League rules mean they’d need to cut a player with an unprotected contract or wait 10 days after her hardship deal ends to sign her to a standard contract, if they can afford it under the salary cap. With big names like DeWanna and Natasha Howard already eating up cap space, it’s a tough puzzle to solve.
The catch in this contract is the teams have to let go of the player signed on hardship. According to Richard Cohen, they will need to cut a player on an unprotected contract to sign her back. Even for that, they will be required to wait 10 days. With the salary cap and the league rules not in favor of the move without sacrificing a player, Lundberg explained why cutting someone might not be the move for the Indiana Fever.
He said, “The Fever brought players in in free agency. The entire league is about to be a free agent in this next offseason. It’s not exactly a great precedent to set to say, “We’re going to sign you to a contract, then we’re going to cut you. And that’s how we do business in free agency after somebody has two good games.”
Cutting a player to keep McDonald isn’t just about numbers, it could mess with the team’s vibe and reputation. Players talk, and word spreads fast in the WNBA. If the Fever ditch someone who’s been loyal just to hold onto McDonald, it might make current players like Sydney or Natasha question their own security. Plus, with free agency heating up in 2026, top talent might think twice about signing with a team that seems quick to cut bait.
The CBA contract situation between the WNBPA and the WNBA is tense as they are closing in on a conclusion. The WNBA could look drastically different heading into 2026. The league is nearing a perfect storm. As interest reaches new heights, a new media rights deal worth $2.2 billion is expected to provide an influx of cash that will alter league finances significantly. In turn, the players are expected to opt out of the collective bargaining agreement, in which case the CBA would expire after the 2025 season. Because of this expectation, the majority of the players in the WNBA are under contract only till the end of the 2025 season, which will give them the benefit of the new CBA that is expected to have more benefits and better salaries.
If the Fever decides to cut a player now to make room for Aari McDonald, it could have longer-term consequences beyond this season. Such a move might send the wrong message to current and future players, raising concerns about job security and the organization’s loyalty to its roster. Free agents in 2026 could view this as a red flag, making them hesitant to sign with Indiana. As a result, the front office may face a tougher challenge in attracting top talent, which could ultimately weaken the team heading into next season.
McDonald has had 2 good games, while the others on the roster have a better and longer CV playing for the Fever. Stephanie White had enough time to work and construct a team suited to her so she could still succeed in following through with her vision even without McDonald. Can the Indiana Fever seriously contend for the WNBA title? Dawn Staley gives her take.
Legendary Coach Dawn Staley Weighs In on Indiana Fever’s Championship Chances
Looking at the Indiana Fever’s start from a broader lens, they have not had the start they would have wanted. A 4-4 start, which includes losses against the Mystics and the Fever. Their style hasn’t been consistent, with many of their games looking disconnected. Granted they have been without Clark, they have more problems than the fans would have expected.
May 4, 2025; Iowa City, IA, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on with head coach Stephanie White during the third quarter against the Brazil National Team at Carver-Haweye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
After a major step in their development last year, they secured a playoff spot for the first time in years with a 20-20 record. The Fever hype train indicated that they will contend for the title this year but that has subsided a little after this start. However, Dawn Staley has pointed out what the Fever must do to actually have a chance. Staley shared her take during an appearance on CBS Sports’ Women’s Basketball show.
“A healthy Indiana Fever team,” Staley said when asked whether there are any teams who can challenge the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty for a WNBA championship this season. “They orchestrated a team that should be able to compete with Minnesota and with the New York Liberty. But the season is still young,” Staley added.
The Liberty looks like an unstoppable force this season. They are yet to lose a game this season and have had wins over Indiana and the Las Vegas Aces. Minnesota haven’t been a slouch either, losing none of their games. Those two have looked a lot more cohesive and settled than the Indiana Fever, who have had their injury struggles. They are without their primary point guard, Caitlin Clark and another key player, Sophie Cunningham. This Fever, which we are seeing in the last few games, is not the one that will be playing throughout the season.
Coach Stephanie White is still figuring out her best starting five but the injuries have forced her hand to play a specific style of basketball. If she has all the tools at her disposal, White has the potential to make this a title-winning team. The squad has a great mix of experience and youth. They have veterans like DeWanna Bonner, Natasha and Sydney Colson, along with young stars like Clark and Aliyah Boston. If they get their cards right, the Fever can make a deep playoff run if not getting the title.
The post Caitlin Clark & Co. Trapped in Dilemma as Aari McDonald’s Hardship Contract Demands Sacrifice from Indiana Fever appeared first on EssentiallySports.
