Negotiations between the WNBA and the players association remain stalled as both sides wait to resume collective bargaining talks in January. While labor discussions are paused, teams are already preparing for the 2026 season under a cloud of uncertainty. The arrival of two expansion franchises, the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire, has added pressure across the league. Unlike last season, when teams could protect six players, franchises will now be limited to protecting only five. That single roster spot difference has created difficult dilemmas for teams like the Indiana Fever.
For the Fever, four names are widely considered untouchable. Caitlin Clark remains the face of the franchise and a cornerstone for the future. Aliyah Boston continues to anchor the team on both ends of the floor, while Kelsey Mitchell provides elite scoring and veteran leadership. Lexie Hull has earned her place through consistency and defensive effort. With those four players likely protected, the fifth slot becomes a tense decision between experience and youth.
Sophie Cunningham represents stability, toughness, and playoff level experience. At 28, she brings a competitive edge and vocal leadership that often shows up in crucial moments. Her ability to defend multiple positions and stretch the floor makes her valuable to any roster. However, her age and contract status complicate matters in an expansion scenario. As a free agent, Cunningham could be selected by a new team and still have flexibility depending on league rules.
On the other side of the debate is Makayla Timpson, a younger player with upside and developmental potential. Teams often lean toward youth when expansion drafts approach, especially when long term roster building is the priority. Protecting Timpson could signal that the Fever are fully committed to a future built around a younger core. Analysts around the league have hinted that this may be the direction Indiana chooses. That possibility has fueled speculation that Cunningham could be left exposed.
If Sophie Cunningham is left unprotected, she would almost certainly be selected quickly. Expansion teams are eager for players who can bring professionalism and immediate impact to a new locker room. Reports suggest that the Portland Fire could be a likely destination if she becomes available. For a new franchise, adding a player with Cunningham’s experience would help establish identity and competitiveness from day one. That reality makes the Fever’s decision even more difficult.
There is also the unique scenario in which Cunningham could be drafted by an expansion team and later return to Indiana. That outcome would depend heavily on league rules regarding player movement after selection. If the WNBA requires expansion picks to remain with their new teams, then Cunningham’s chapter with the Fever would truly be over. If not, there may still be a narrow path back under the right conditions. Until January brings clarity, uncertainty remains the dominant theme.
For Indiana, this is not just about protecting one player. It is about defining direction. Do they prioritize proven leadership during a crucial growth phase, or do they invest fully in youth and long term upside. The expansion draft forces hard truths and even harder choices. Whatever decision is made will be closely watched by fans and could influence how the Fever are perceived across the league.
As the calendar moves closer to the new year, time becomes an enemy for both the team and the player. Sophie Cunningham’s future hangs in the balance, and the Fever must weigh loyalty, strategy, and vision. One decision could alter multiple careers and shift the competitive landscape of the WNBA. Until then, all eyes remain on Indiana, waiting to see which path they choose.
Comment Section Prompt
Should the Indiana Fever protect Sophie Cunningham or invest in Makayla Timpson for the future? Share your thoughts in the comments and let the debate begin.
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