As Indiana Fever thinks about changing trades before the deadline, Caitlin Clark is looking forward to a playoff push.

Exchange Hypotheses for Indiana
Before the August 20 trade deadline, WNBA teams may want to take into consideration the following moves, according to a recent article by ESPN senior writer Kevin Pelton. The Indiana Fever, who have a rare chance to rebuild their roster around rookie Caitlin Clark and sophomore Aliyah Boston, are involved in one of the noteworthy scenarios. Brittney Sykes and Myisha Hines-Allen would be sent to the Washington Mystics in exchange for NaLyssa Smith, Katie Lou Samuelson, and a 2026 first-round pick.

Even though Smith averages 11.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, he has had trouble integrating into Indiana’s new approach under Boston and Clark’s direction. Although Samuelson has averaged 5.4 points and 2.5 rebounds per game this season, the Fever haven’t benefited enough from her three-point shooting.

With Sykes, one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, joining the team might help Clark both offensively and defensively. Sykes averages 11.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. With an average of 8.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, Hines-Allen may replace Samuelson and Smith’s combined influence in Indiana’s frontcourt because to his flexibility.

In addition to increasing the Fever’s prospects of winning the rest of the 2024 season, this move would set them up for success in 2025—a year that could prove to be better for the team given Clark’s experience following his rookie campaign. With Sykes and a year of growth for Boston and Clark, Indiana might grow into a strong team in the future. The Fever need to give this move significant thought as the trade deadline draws near in order to assemble a team that can back up Clark’s skills and contend for a deep postseason run.

After playing in 26 games for the Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark is third in the league in minutes played (35.2), leads the league in assists per game with 8.2, and averages 17.1 points per game. Yes, Clark is the genuine deal, and she can do even more with a better team. She has already broken a number of records and is about to break more, such as becoming the first rookie in WNBA history to record a triple-double and setting the franchise record for the most assists (19) in a game.