Caitlin Clark rarely goes unnoticed, even when she’s not on the court. The Indiana Fever recently made a significant roster move 3 days ahead of their regular-season opener, and the ripple effects quickly pulled attention across the league in a different direction than expected. Somehow, even a routine preseason call reflected just how closely the WNBA spotlight remains on Indiana.
In a move that has everyone asking why, the Fever have waived guards Megan McConnell, Jessica Timmons, and Kayana Traylor in a single roster move. These steps were taken to trim their squad to the 12-player active limit ahead of the new season.
While the announcement itself came through the team’s official Instagram post, what stood out was Caitlin Clark’s subtle reaction. The 24-year-old liked the post – a small yet noticeable gesture that immediately caught fan attention. But it’s worth noting that this move now sends all three guards to waivers, where every WNBA team will have the chance to claim them. And if they go unclaimed, they will clear waivers and become unrestricted free agents.
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However, there is still a pathway for any of them to remain with the Indiana Fever.
Under the new CBA rules, teams can now carry two developmental players who can be activated for up to 12 games while continuing full participation in practices and team activities. Justine Pissott (the Fever’s second-round pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft) has already secured one of the team’s two available Player Development spots. That opens a potential path for one of the waived guards to return if they clear waivers and the Fever decides to bring them back into the developmental system.
But who will be the one? Because each of the three waived players brings different experiences to the table.
McConnell, a 5-foot-7 point guard, averaged 11.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in Australia’s WNBL, showing her all-around impact. Traylor, a 5-foot-9 guard, spent time overseas and competed in Athletes Unlimited earlier this year, where she posted 8.1 points and 2.5 assists per game. Timmons, also a 5-foot-9 guard out of Alabama, delivered her strongest college season as a senior, averaging 16.3 points and shooting 39% from three-point range.
So, that decision will ultimately come down to fit, timing, and how Indiana wants to shape its rotation heading into the new season. And while we have to wait to find out who that will be, the bigger picture around their franchise star is starting to shift in a different way.
Caitlin Clark Gets a Reality Check as Indiana Fever Make Major Roster Cuts
Clark hasn’t just been making headlines for her reactions to roster changes, because fans have also recently seen how the league’s decision-makers view her standing heading into 2026.
In the 2026 WNBA GM Survey, Clark no longer holds the same dominant position she once did in key categories, with her name sliding to second or dropping out of the top three in several rankings. One of the clearest shifts came in the “Best Point Guard” category, where Chelsea Gray claimed the top spot with 73% of the vote, while Caitlin Clark settled at second with 20%.
Moreover, when general managers were asked who they would start a franchise with, she once again saw her position adjusted as Paige Bueckers took the top spot with 33% of the vote, while she tied for second with A’ja Wilson at 20%. To put things in perspective, she led in this category with 50% last year.
While there is no doubt that she is one of the best players this league has ever seen, especially when, as a rookie, she led the league in total assists and assists per game, the survey reflects how quickly perception can evolve in a league where availability and recent success carry significant weight.
If we had to pinpoint the main reason behind this shift. it would be her 2025 season, where injuries played a major role, and she was limited to just 13 games. But heading into the 2026 season, Caitlin Clark is fully healthy again, and that sets the stage for her to reshape the conversation once more. She recently landed on her knee cap post a flagrant foul against the Dallas Wings. Although she was declared fit and uninjured, she has been wearing a leg sleeve for compression.
So when the Indiana Fever gears up to play their first game against the Dallas Wings on May 9th, make sure to tune in.
