The world of professional women’s basketball is witnessing a turbulent post-WNBA season, and the Indiana Fever are at the epicenter of the changes. With the news that Makayla Timpson, one of the Fever’s talented players, has officially signed a contract with a Euro League team in France, she has become the “first domino to fall” in a series of anticipated moves expected to reshape the Fever’s roster for the 2026 season.
The practice of American female basketball players going abroad to play is nothing new. In fact, it’s a common strategy many WNBA athletes choose to maximize their income. As the video’s host pointed out, “they make more money overseas than they make over here.” This creates a cycle where stars seek better financial opportunities in European leagues, sometimes at the cost of injury risks, as was the case with Kelsey Mitchell, who once injured her finger playing abroad. Timpson’s decision once again highlights the salary gap between the WNBA and international leagues, an issue that remains a focal point of debate in the women’s basketball community.
But the story of Makayla Timpson is just the tip of the iceberg. The Indiana Fever’s recent 2025 season, though promising with the presence of Caitlin Clark, ended in regret as Clark was kept on the sidelines due to injury. This decision, according to some fans and experts, “did not pan out very well at all” for the team. This has forced the Fever’s front office to re-evaluate its roster and strategy.
The host predicts that “some big names is going to leave this team” this offseason, and these departures will surprise many. The ultimate goal is to make the team “a better basketball team for the 2026 season,” filling the gaps that the team lacked in the previous year. This could include adding new players to improve upon areas of weakness.
Another name receiving special attention is Lexi Hull. The host believes Lexi Hull “could leave” due to financial reasons. Despite being a player with incredible “leadership, grit, heart,” Lexi Hull deserves a “max deal” contract—something the Fever’s management may not be willing to pay. “Lexi definitely deserve a Max deal like other superstars because she is a superstar,” the host emphasized. Lexi Hull has always left everything on the court, and her departure for monetary reasons would be a significant loss for the Fever, as well as a reminder of the importance of properly valuing talent in the WNBA.
Not just Lexi Hull, but names like Sophie Cunningham were also mentioned as players who “guarantee max deals” because of their “character,” which “speaks to me louder than a lot of times they performance on the basketball court.” This shows the importance of not just skill but also the spirit and work ethic of players to their overall value.
Overall, this offseason promises to be one of the most compelling in the Indiana Fever’s recent history. With Makayla Timpson kicking off the wave of transfers, and with predictions of departures for stars like Lexi Hull, fans are eagerly waiting to see how the Fever’s management will reshape the team. The goal is to create a stronger, more cohesive roster ready to compete for a championship in 2026, while navigating the financial and player-retention challenges in an increasingly globalized league.
