The Indiana Fever have built their roster around star guard Caitlin Clark during the recent offseason, aiming not only to develop for the future but to compete immediately. As the 2025 WNBA trade deadline approaches on August 7, the team is considering moves that could strengthen their lineup and support Clark’s championship aspirations.
With the WNBA season heading into its final stretch, the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty lead as frontrunners for the title, while the Phoenix Mercury and Atlanta Dream remain strong contenders. The Fever have demonstrated they can challenge any opponent, highlighted by significant wins over the Liberty and the Lynx, including a Commissioner’s Cup victory achieved even without Clark in the lineup.
Current Challenges and the Role of Caitlin Clark
Clark’s health is central to Indiana’s chances this season, as her ability to return fully recovered from a recent injury will impact the team’s success. Meanwhile, the Fever hold several players who may be leveraged in trades to improve the roster around her. Strengthening key positions before the deadline could push Indiana toward serious championship contention.
Potential Trade Candidates to Enhance the Fever’s Roster
Indiana is evaluating three players as possible trade assets who have seen limited roles this season but hold value elsewhere in the league. These moves could provide the Fever with more consistent contributors and roster flexibility heading into the playoffs.
Damiris Dantas: Size and Scoring Potential
Damiris Dantas, a 6-foot-4 Brazilian center on a two-year, $197,100 contract, has largely been sidelined in Indiana’s rotation. For example, she did not play against the Chicago Sky recently, continuing a pattern under coach Stephanie White. Despite minimal court time this year—averaging 4.6 points and 2.5 rebounds in just over 12 minutes per game—Dantas possesses a skill set desirable to other teams.
Her size provides a strong presence in the paint, and she can occasionally stretch defenses with a three-point shot. Dantas’s recent performance in the FIBA AmeriCup was impressive, where she led all scorers with 21.4 points per game, indicating untapped potential if given more minutes elsewhere.
Brianna Turner: Defensive Depth Underutilized
Brianna Turner arrived on a one-year, $85,000 contract with hopes of shoring up Indiana’s frontcourt defense. A former Chicago Sky forward, Turner expected to contribute significant minutes, but she has averaged only 4.0 minutes per game and missed 12 games without playing. Her consistent omission from the lineup shows she is not central to coach White’s current plans.
The Fever front office may consider trading Turner to obtain a player who can make a bigger impact in the rotation and better complement Clark’s playmaking demands.
Sydney Colson: Veteran Leadership Yet Limited Offensive Impact
Sydney Colson, another offseason addition signed for $90,000, brings veteran experience and a winning mentality from her two WNBA championships. However, her offensive production this season has been disappointing, with an average of 2.4 points per game and just 25% shooting from beyond the arc. This limited scoring reduces her on-court value during crucial moments.
Despite her leadership qualities, the Fever might pursue trade options involving Colson to acquire a more effective contributor who can better support their pursuit of a title.
Why These Moves Matter for Indiana’s Title Prospects
As Indiana positions itself to contend with top teams like Minnesota and New York, adding reliable, impactful players around Caitlin Clark is crucial. The team‘s success hinges on Clark’s recovery and the ability to balance the roster with pieces who can contribute regularly. Trading players with limited roles in exchange for fresh talent could be the difference-maker in a tightly contested playoff race.
With the August 7 trade deadline looming, the Fever front office faces challenging decisions that could define the team’s competitiveness for this season and beyond. The outcome of these moves will shape their ability to maintain momentum and potentially secure a championship run in 2025.