The Indiana Fever are at a crossroads in free agency, facing a pivotal decision on two key players, Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull, that has already sparked debate across the league.
Smart move. You don’t let 20 PPG walk out the door when you’re building a contender.
— IbtaiHaj (@iamibtaihaj08) April 7, 2026
Mitchell has spent her entire WNBA career playing for the Fever after being the No. 2 pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft, and over time, she became one of the top players in the Indiana ranks.
Mitchell’s presence on the roster has always been given paramount importance. It was her scoring prowess that made Indiana reach the playoffs last year. The semi-final game she played against the Las Vegas Aces, scoring 34 points and helping them to a 89-73 win, is something that the management hasn’t forgotten.
And it’s no surprise that the Fever management would look into ways of getting her back into their present scheme of things. Just like Lexie Hull, who was brought on board in the 2022 WNBA Draft as the No. 6 pick. As per her contract details, Hull was poised to become a restricted free agent this offseason, which allows the Fever to match any offer she receives, which would then force her to return to Indiana.
Now that Indiana is extending a core qualifying offer to these two players, it is quite interesting. So what do the fans make of this proposition?
Fans React To Fever’s Core Qualifying Offer
As soon as the news of Fever reaching out to Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull reached the fans, they came on social media to share their views.
“Smart move. You don’t let 20 PPG walk out the door when you’re building a contender,” said a commenter recognizing what Mitchell brings to the table.
Kelsey’s brand of firepower on the frontside of the court is unmatched, and she makes scoring look routine. She averages 20.2 points per game, ranking third in the WNBA in scoring. In addition, she shoots 45.6% FG, 39.4% 3PT, making her one of the league’s most efficient high-volume guards.
You have to be a special talent to be able to go past Tamika Catchings’ record for points in a season (890 total), and that too came along easily for Mitchell. Mitchell accomplished this while playing alongside stars like Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, which underscores the potent offense the Fever possesses.
She’s the franchise player. I don’t see a problem with that! Congratulations
— Shon (@Shon4579) April 7, 2026
“She’s the franchise player. I don’t see a problem with that! Congratulations,” a fan said.
Viewed as a cornerstone for the Fever, Mitchell has now become synonymous with the team’s identity and success. Even the new stars like Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston couldn’t take away her shine, and that is what makes her unique. If Fever wants to keep alive their hopes of a championship, they know who they need.
Other than Kelsey, there’s also another Fever player that fans don’t want to miss out on in this mad scramble.
“Sophie better be next,” demanded a Fever fan who does not want Sophie Cunningham to leave at any cost.
Cunningham became a valuable role player for Indiana in 2025 with her toughness, perimeter shooting, veteran leadership skills, and ability to play both guard and forward roles, giving the team lineup flexibility, making her an asset. Now a free agent, Cunningham will have to announce her future, and fans want her decision to come in the affirmative.
But while fans want Sophie to stay, some fans have a different opinion about Kelsey and feel that she could be better used in helping out other teams stuck in the division.
I hope she doesn’t sign with Indiana; there are many other teams that need her. Not here.
— Liz Chiapa (@Lexie10Hull) April 7, 2026
“I hope she doesn’t sign with Indiana; there are many other teams that need her. Not here,” a fan added.
The fan feels Indiana has got itself covered when it comes to attacking play, so Kelsey Mitchell might find more use in helping out the stagnant teams. Perhaps a Seattle Storm or a Dallas Wings might just gain more, or even a Chicago Sky that has recently lost out on Angel Reese.
Who knows what awaits us in the cards and which team each player will sign up with, but what we do know is that something big is about to happen. As the dust of the free agency settles down, we will get to see how exactly the teams line up for the eventual season.
