The Indiana Fever kicked off their free agency in a completely unsurprising manner. “Our first priority is to sign Kelsey Mitchell back,” Caitlin Clark said. “She was first-team All-WNBA last year; she’s kind of my running mate in the backcourt. She makes it really easy for me.” So, they reportedly extended a core qualifying offer to Kelsey Mitchell. Along with that, they gave a restricted qualifying offer to forward Lexie Hull. Many expected Sophie Cunningham to be next, but rather unexpectedly Damiris Dantas became the Fever front office’s next move.
The Indiana Fever have a strong core to build on after their 2025 playoff run. Even with multiple injuries to the likes of Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham and others, they gave eventual winners Las Vegas a run for their money in the semifinals. They took the Aces to Game 5 and if not for Mitchell’s injury and Boston fouling out, the Fever might have even won. Regardless, what they achieved remained impressive. Fans expected the franchise to give Clark a good supporting cast. For Fever, that means signing Damiris Dantas.
“Damiris Dantas is set to re-sign with the Indiana Fever, a source tells me. Announcement to come this weekend,” Forbes’ Roberta Rodrigues wrote. “Important note: contracts can only be signed starting Saturday, April 11, therefore commitments up until now are only verbal.” This news set the Fever fanbase on fire.
Indiana Fever Spark Fan Outrage With Damiris Dantas Decision
“Fever might actually have the worst front office in sports,” wrote a fan. Well, Fever has a history of bad decisions. They were bottom dwellers for multiple seasons until they drafted Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark. The team also failed to give their legend Tamika Catchings a cast good enough for the title only one time.
But, last year their free agency was rated A by ESPN after bringing in Cunningham, DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard and Sydney Colson. While Bonner did not work out, that team reached the semifinals. And there is an argument that Chicago Sky is the worst front office after their recent Angel Reese trade. So, there are two sides to this coin. Regardless, resigning Damiris Dantas does not make sense to many.
“Yikes, There is really nobody else willing to sign with the Fever? DD is a great player; however, she is NEVER healthy enough to play an entire season! What is this? Fever can’t be ok with the team that limped through the entire last season!” wrote a fan.
Yikes, There is really Nobody else willing to sign with the Fever? DD is a great player however she is NEVER healthy enough to play an entire season! What is this! Fever can’t be ok with the team that limped through the entire last season!
— Sally Gainey (@sally_gainey) April 9, 2026
Their 2025 season was largely a success because of their spirit. Or, at least, it is believed to be so. Dantas was among the injured in the Fever’s playoff run. The fans crave a better on-paper team. Not one they would have to rely on the team spirit to win games with. With Clark and Boston, they have an opportunity to form a special team. And they are expected to be an attractive destination too since Fever are arguably the most popular team in the league. They are led by Clark, who is considered by many as the face of the league. Anyone who plays there will have their off-court value skyrocket.
“This is our response to the super teams 
we’re cooked, bruh,” wrote another. The Las Vegas Aces are set to re-sign Jackie Young and A’ja Wilson. Breanna Stewart is staying in New York along with Sabrina Ionescu. The Atlanta Dream traded for Angel Reese and are expected to retain Rhyne Howard and Naz Hillmon. Fever wanted another key piece rather than someone at the fag end of the bench.
“Y’all really on this mf spazzing over signing the 11th player on the roster,” wrote one. Last season, Damiris Dantas averaged 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game through 38 regular season games. She was never really a part of the rotation and was rather a depth piece. So, this dissatisfaction could be because of the timing. If this news came at the end of free agency when most of the team was signed, not many would bat an eye.
“I think we need to wait and see if they do anything,” wrote another fan. “If players starting signing and trades start happening and they are still sitting on their hands, then we can riot but at least wait till the weekend.” To understand the full scope of what this front office plans, the fans need some patience.
The free agency has not even started yet. And contracts like Damiris Dantas’ are easier to negotiate than those of the top stars. To bring in the best, the team will compete with other teams, there will be multiple offers, they will negotiate, which takes time. For now, the fans need to sit tight and reignite their protest if the team looks unacceptable by the end of free agency.
