Once done nailing a game against the New York Liberty in July 2024, Caitlin Clark made some time to babysit teammate Katie Lou Samuelson’s 10-month-old daughter Aliyah. Impressed with Clark’s skills that are apparently not limited to just basketball, Samuelson dubbed her an “elite babysitter”. Heartwarming, right? For a while, yes. Because this dynamic between the teammates might be taking a turn to the south.
The Indiana Fever announced on February 10, 2025, that they have mutually parted ways with Katie Lou Samuelson, despite her having one more season left on her contract. This decision has significant implications for both the team and its star rookie, Caitlin Clark.
By parting ways with Samuelson, the Fever have freed up approximately $180,250 in salary cap space for the 2025 season. This is a move that gives the team much needed financial flexibility as they try to build around their young core.
Katie Lou Samuelson will not return to the Fever. The team announced that they have mutually parted ways. She still had one more season under contract.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) February 10, 2025
Besides having an effect on the team’s salary cap, Samuelson’s departure affects the locker room dynamic. Clark, who had developed a bond with Samuelson and her family, will have to lean on someone else for support and occasional babysitting duties instead of the veteran teammate.
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