The Indiana Fever find themselves at a pivotal juncture: the emergence of Caitlin Clark as a franchise-cornerstone means the organization must act decisively to protect their long-term future, particularly with the looming 2026 expansion draft.

Clark’s arrival has already transformed the Fever’s trajectory — she averaged 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game in 2025. But to turn potential into sustainable success, Indiana must build a roster around her and ensure that they retain and develop the right supporting cast while navigating expansion-draft risks.

First, we must appreciate the context. The WNBA is entering an era of expansion, meaning current teams must submit a protected list of players ahead of the 2026 expansion draft. If the Fever mismanage that process, they risk losing key pieces. At the same time, free agency is unusually volatile: essentially every veteran not on a rookie contract will be a free agent.For Indiana, this means the window to “lock in” a core is narrow. They cannot assume that their current roster will stay intact — even if they want it to.

Clark’s status as the franchise focal point is clear. As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, she carries star potential, commercial appeal, and on-court playmaking ability.Building around her means ensuring that the pieces complement her game: guards who can share ball-handling, wings who can defend and create off her penetration, and bigs who can space the floor or protect the rim. But more than just assembling talent, the Fever must also safeguard against losing that talent to expansion or free agency.

One of the core priorities for Indiana must be deciding who they will protect from being selected by new franchises. They’ll likely have to choose a limited number of players to shield, meaning decisions will be made: which veterans, which young players with upside, which contracts are worth exposing? With Clark untouchable, the next tier of retention becomes crucial. Per recent analysis, the team’s front office has acknowledged that many of their players might be in flux because of the expansion draft and the free-agent landscape. The Fever might not be able to protect everyone.

Given that, the Fever should categorise their roster into three groups: untouchables, developing assets, and tradeable/expendable pieces. Untouchables are those who will serve as immediate, long-term supports for Clark: for example, a younger player still on a rookie deal, or a veteran who meshes perfectly with Clark’s style and buy-in. Developing assets are those who aren’t yet at full potential but could become reliable contributors. Tradeables are those whose value might be maximised now to acquire other assets or whose contracts/fit make them easier to expose.

From a practical standpoint, Indiana already has a young core with promise: for instance, Aliyah Boston is a player with rookie-deal status and plays at a high level — she averaged 15.0 points and 8.2 rebounds in 2025. Keeping Boston alongside Clark gives the franchise a double-threat foundation: Clark running the perimeter and orchestrating, Boston anchoring the frontcourt. That pairing can form the spine of the team for years to come.

On the flip side, the Fever must scrutinise veteran contracts and performance. If a veteran’s deal is lengthy and expensive and that player doesn’t perfectly fit the Clark-centred vision, the team might need to consider trade or non-protection. For example, veterans like Kelsey Mitchell or Natasha Howard bring experience and scoring but may have shorter windows ahead. The question: will Indiana prioritise retaining them via protection, or focus resources on younger, cheaper talent?

Another dimension: draft and development strategy. Because Clark is already established, the Fever must lean into building around her for the next 4-8 years. That means acquiring young, high-ceiling players via the draft, developing them in systematic ways, and ensuring the culture is one of continuity and growth rather than constant turnover. It also means being strategic with the expansion draft: draft picks can be used to offset losses or to gather trade assets from teams willing to give up protection in exchange for picks. Indiana should aim to hold some draft picks or developmental assets that give flexibility.

Expansion draft risk also suggests that the Fever should consider locking up promising young players on multi-year extensions or finding contract structures that make certain players less appealing to expansion teams. If a young player is locked for several years at team-friendly money and clearly aligned with Clark, they become harder to poach. Meanwhile, rotation veterans with expiring or large contracts can be exposed without shattering long-term plans.

From a personnel standpoint, the supporting cast around Clark must fulfil clear roles: a 3-and-D wing, a rim-running big who can set screens and finish, a secondary ball-handler who can relieve Clark and keep the offense flowing. Indiana must assess their current roster for these role-fits and identify gaps. For example, if the team lacks a true rim-protector or stretch-big behind Boston, drafting or acquiring one should be a priority. Likewise, the Championship window is yours but you must guard the back-door: expansion draft mechanics can steal depth if you’re not careful.

Off-court, the Fever benefit from Clark’s brand and visibility. Her commercial appeal brings attention, ticket sales, and media buzz. But that only solidifies the urgency: to fully capitalise on this moment, Indiana must pair brand with performance. A team built around Clark that fails to contend will waste the opportunity. They must align front office, coaching, roster construction, and culture behind the “Clark era.” That means minimising distractions, limiting turnover, and emphasising a coherent identity.

In summary, the Indiana Fever have a generational talent in Caitlin Clark, and the upcoming 2026 expansion draft presents both risk and opportunity. The team must act now to assemble and protect a roster around her that is sustainable for the long term. That involves hard decisions about who to protect, who to develop, and who to expose, all while filling role gaps and maintaining a culture of growth. If done correctly, the Fever can leverage Clark’s star power into a competitive window rather than a fleeting moment. In short: build smart, act early, and protect the foundation around Clark so the future is as bright as the present looks.