this is a place where players can come and and get better and um be surrounded by an organization that supports you they're going to have everything they need to be successful the Indiana Fever are about to pull off the biggest heist in WNBA history they're not just signing one Superstar they're not even signing two they're going after 10 game-changing free agents that could turn them into instant title contenders you might be thinking there's no way they can afford all that talent but here's where you're wrong the fever have a secret weapon and her name is Kelly Koff returning to the fever this year with a bold Vision Kelly isn't just here to play nice she means business know the free agent situation in the WNBA but are you in a position where you can add some pieces yes we are we're we're definitely in a position and I would think that if you are um a smart basketball player and you watch the way she plays you would want to play with her with her extensive connections and resources she's setting out to make Indiana the hottest destination in the league her strategy it's ambitious and it's already turning heads you won't believe what she has planned to make the fever a Powerhouse you know that feeling when you're watching a movie and the two main characters finally team up that electrifying moment when you realize you're about to witness something special well get ready because that's exactly what's about to happen with Caitlyn Clark and Kelsey Mitchell on the Indiana Fever good thing for women's basketball um I playing along inside this kid so it makes everything you know a little bit more dramatic and like the people are coming out to see this person so we just do what we can U we embrace it I'm pretty sure our organization can feed off of it let's talk about Kelsey Mitchell for a second did you know she averaged 19. 2 points last season that's not just good that's Allstar level good and it's not like she just got hot for a few games after the Olympic break Mitchell went on an absolute tear scoring 20 or more points in seven straight games can you imagine trying to guard someone that consistent now picture Mitchell playing alongside Caitlyn Clark we're talking about two of the best Shooters in the game on the same team how are defenses supposed to stop that Clark's college stats are off the charts and her ability to create opportunities for her teammates is unreal with Clark's vision and Mitchell's scoring touch this could be the most dynamic backcourt the WNBA has ever seen um because Kelsey Mitchell said basketball is a language and you have to get on the same page me and Caitlyn like to play fast and Up Tempo and I'm always going to align based on how she's playing and how she's going here's where it gets really interesting Mitchell's a free agent right now the fever have to sign her right but at what cost we're talking about a player who's been the heart and soul of this team the fever's president even said they wouldn't be where they are today without her that kind of Praise doesn't come cheap so let's break down exactly how much it might take to keep Mitchell in Indiana spoiler alert it's a lot we're talking about a supermax qualifying offer of around $250,000 that's a big chunk of change but can the fever really afford to let Mitchell walk look we're going to evaluate everything and um have you know have those types of discussions here's the thing it's not just about the money it's about building a championship team and that's where Clark comes in her addition to the team isn't just about her individual Talent it's about how she can Elevate everyone around her especially a scorer like Mitchell but all signs point to her returning including her and Clark attending the Pacers and Grizzlies game you might be wondering can these two really coexist won't they be fighting for shots but that's the beauty of it Clark's not just a scorer she's a playmaker and Mitchell has shown she can play well with other star guards this isn't a case of two players fighting for the spotlight this is about two stars coming together to form something greater than the sum of their parts Kelsey Mitchell has been an Allstar but she had the stage the bright lights and everybody could see what kind of bucket getter she is plus Caitlyn draws the defense Kelsey gets to go one-on-one and put her skills on display with Clark's playmaking and Mitchell's scoring we might be looking at the new Splash sisters and that's just the beginning of Indiana's makeover the fever are building something special here and this back court could be the foundation of a dynasty and Caitlyn Clark and Kelsey Mitchell make up the most electrifying back court in the WNBA so buckle up WNBA fans the Clark and Mitchell show is about to begin and it's going to be one hell of a ride you think the fever are done after landing Clark and Mitchell think again Kelly kov one of the smartest Minds in basketball has her sight set on a free agent that could change everything we're talking about NECA auum mik the former MVP who's still dropping Jaws at 33 with 16. 6 points and 7.
6 rebounds per game last season we are thrilled here on Sports Center tonight to be able to announce right here right now that your 2016 WNBA most valuable player is NECA auum auum miki's not just about the numbers though she's a leader who can walk into to a locker room and instantly command respect imagine her taking young stars like Aaliyah Boston under her Wing teaching her all the tricks from nine All-Star appearances that's the kind of mentorship that turns good teams into great ones but here's where it gets really interesting auu mik's game is so versatile she's a nightmare for opposing coaches she can post up blow by Defenders and even stretch the floor with a 40% three-point shot how do you even guard that champion an Allstar and MVP has decided to sign with the Seattle Storm so check out these stats look at these numbers last year NECA she averaged her best numbers since her MVP season in 2016 now you might be wondering why would AUM leave the sunny West Coast for Indiana that's where kov comes in she's The Mastermind who led the fever to their only Championship back in 2012 and now she's back to work her magic again you can bet she's painting a pretty picture for auu McKay saying something like NECA come to Indie and Lead this young team to a championship ship be the missing piece that turns us into a dynasty and Indiana has won the WNBA championship for the very first time I want to thank all the people that have supported me along this journey and supported us a k is a big fan of Caitlyn Clark and has always been vocal about the Clark effect with that in mind kov should have an easier time convincing her to join the fever but she has like you can tell like how she plays that she has the pro mentality oh yeah you know like I think that there's a lot of talented athletes that come into the league and you know everyone struggles like even me like I even had a hard time I think everyone has that transitional period but I think the Difference Maker with people that make it to the WNBA is the discipline and I don't have to see Caitlyn work in the gym to know that she has that discipline to be a pro auam Mikey and Boston in the front court with Clark running the point that's a big three that covers every aspect of the game scoring defense leadership it's all there the rest of the league should be scared very scared because if the fever land auu mik they're building a juggernaut and with kov pulling the strings don't bet against it happening the fever are coming and they're coming fast are you ready for it we've talked about some incredible players but get ready for the Wild Card who could turn the fever into an instant Force say hello to satu sabali the international sensation who's got the entire league buzzing one high-profile free agent who would be a perfect fit for the fever is satu sabali from the Dallas Wings who was at the the Liberty parade with her sister enjoying that and some people could make the case that maybe she'd want to go to New York New York as a result but the the fever she would be an awesome and amazing fit as the stretch four sabali stats last season were off the charts 17. 9 points 6. 4 rebounds and five assists per game that's Allstar level dominance right there but here's where it gets really interesting sabali is a 6 of four in forward who can handle the ball like a guard and crash the boards like a center she's a versatile player who can do it all on the court struggle here with her shot she scored just two points in her last two games and sabali with an answer now you might be wondering if sabali is so valuable why would Dallas let her go well that's the tricky part sabali is a restricted free agent which means the wings can match any offer she receives but here's where it gets interesting sabali has a special affection for the Indiana Fever and isn't shy about showing it on social media and she actually likes some comments on Tik Tok um about the the fever you know wanting to bring her in fever will welcome you she like that would love to see you with the fever with some heart emojis not that that means anything um but nonetheless that is a a positive indicator at least for fever fans who are hopeful let's break it down Indiana needs to make sabali an offer she can't refuse we're talking big money and a vision of Championship Glory picture Kelly kracov sitting down with sabali painting a picture of her running the fast break with Caitlyn Clark or dominating the paint alongside a liia Boston that's the kind of pitch that makes players take notice and if you're looking at their cap table it seems like they do have the room to make a a big time acquisition Kelsey Mitchell is going to get a max deal that's going to be priority number one but then they have to bolster the rest of the roster because it's time for the fever to compete for a championship and sat would be a huge piece for that but here's where it gets tricky even if sabali loves the offer Dallas can still match it so what's Indiana's play they might need to get creative maybe they structure the deal in a way that makes it tough for Dallas to match or perhaps they work out a sign and trade deal that benefits both teams uh satu please stay in Dallas either way I'll always support she said Dallas will always be my first real American Hometown so for me that indicates that she is gone will'll always that's that's the past tense right she's referencing the past there can you imagine if they pull it off though we'd be looking at a lineup with Clark Mitchell saali and maybe even auam Mike or Howard that's a dynasty in the making we're talking about the kind of versatile offense that keeps coaches up at night trying to figure out how to stop it think about it with sabal's ability to play multiple positions and Clark's passing skills we might be witnessing the birth of the most Unstoppable offense in WNBA history sabali could see more open looks than she's ever had before can Indiana really steal an All-Star forward from a rival team it won't be easy but stranger things have happened in the WNBA like when the sky snagged Ali Quigley as a restricted free agent transforming their franchise the fever are hoping for a similar move with sabali if they land her Indiana wouldn't just be contenders they'd be the team to beat isn't that exactly what Indiana fans have been dreaming of but we we've talked about her as almost the ideal fit for the fever for a while and you know the the expectations have to be very high for for Indiana next year because there's no reason with their Core group of players assuming Kelsey Mitchell's back that is Stars they've got Stars already on the roster remember Natasha Howard three-time WNBA champion and 2019 defensive player of the year she's not just a defensive specialist she's a two-way Force last season she put up 17.
6 points and 6. 7 rebounds per game that's Allstar level production and on defense she was a nightmare for opponents averaging 1. 2 blocks and 1.
3 steals per game had a chance to visit with them and they are so excited to see their granddaughter play their dad will be here this weekend nice job Howard now you might be thinking how would Howard fit with the fever picture this Howard and Aaliyah Boston in the front Court together who's scoring in the pain against that it's like trying to drive through a wall and with Howard guarding multiple positions the fever's defense suddenly becomes a fortress [Music] but here's where it gets really exciting think about what Howard could do for Caitlyn Clark with Howard protecting the rim Clark could push the tempo even more we might be looking at the fastest team in WNBA history fast breaks all day every day now you're probably wondering can the fever even afford Howard after signing Mitchell and maybe auum mik well that's where things get interesting it's going to take some serious cap magic but it's not impossible we've seen WNBA teams pull off similar moves before here's how it could work the fever might need to make some tough choices maybe they let go of a few veterans or trade away some future draft picks it's a risk but when you have a chance to get a player like Howard sometimes you've got to go all in and don't forget about what Howard brings off the court we're talking about a player with championship experience someone who knows how to win can you imagine how she could help young stars like Clark and Boston it's like getting a player and a coach in one package on the floor it's a foot Race 3 seconds left Natasha Howard trains it ties it at 92 Atlanta with one point the league better watch out if the fever get Howard they're building a fierce defensive Powerhouse set to dominate and just when you think we've named all the big stars there's Brianna Turner a rising Talent who could be the missing piece Indiana needs you might be wondering didn't she have a down year with Chicago yeah she did but that's what makes her such an interesting Target a player with her potential coming off a tough season that's the kind of diamond in the rough that smart teams pounce on here's where it gets really exciting Turner's still young with Room to Grow she could explode an Indiana's system imagine her sprinting down the court finishing fast breaks that's the kind of basketball that gives coach's nightmare but I want to see women sports Thrive throughout my whole entire lifetime not just the time that I'm in now so my hope is that as I plant these seeds now WBA players in three decades will see the tree in full bloom and be able to pick the fruit off and just enjoy liter the literal fruits let's break down how Turner could fit into the fever system her defensive versatility is off the charts she can guard multiple positions effectively in today's WNBA where everyone's trying to go small and fast having a player who can switch on screens and still protect the rim that's gold wide open there noted a up by by one later Christen Williams with the driving dish to clier but Banna Turner comes up with a huge block Notre but it's not just defense Turner's got a nose for the ball on the boards too did you know she wants average 9. 4 rebounds a game in a season that's Elite those rebounds could turn into easy buckets in transition now you might be thinking okay but can she score well Turner's best season saw her put up 7. 8 points a game that might not sound like much but remember remember she was doing that while focusing on defense with more offensive opportunities who knows how high that number could [Music] go coaches Rave about Turner's work ethic and dedication to Improvement you know what that means she's got the potential to be more than just a defensive specialist she could develop into a true two-way Force um it's awes SE them in the league but we know we stop on court we competitors compete against each other and the game can you imagine what that would do for the fever they'd have a player who could anchor their defense ignite their fast break and still contribute on offense that's the kind of player that turns good teams into great ones did you see what Sims did in Dallas last season she averaged 17.
