Sophie Cunningham indicated she wants to return to the Indiana Fever next season in a social media post.
Cunningham, who has been out since Aug. 17 with a torn MCL, posted a photo of the majority of the team following the Fever’s 108-97 season-ending loss in Game 5 of the WNBA semifinals on Tuesday night, highlighting Indiana’s resilience through six season-ending injuries.
“us. can’t make this season up! so much to be proud of. you better believe we are coming for EVERYBODY next season,” Cunningham posted on X.
Cunningham, who was traded from the Phoenix Mercury to the Fever last season as part of a four-team trade, consistently highlighted how happy she is in Indiana throughout the season.
She is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, meaning she should have free rein to re-sign with Indiana for 2026 following the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement.
But that also depends on the terms of the double-expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, which is slated for this offseason.
The WNBA hasn’t announced the terms of the new expansion draft, as the league and the players’ union need to agree on a new CBA first. The terms of this double expansion draft could also change compared to the Golden State Valkyries draft in 2024, especially considering it’s two teams instead of one.
But, based on the terms of the 2024 expansion draft, Cunningham could be eligible to be drafted and cored by one of the new expansion teams.
Expansion teams were able to choose one unrestricted free agent that still had core eligibility, which gives the team exclusive negotiating rights in exchange for a supermax salary. The Golden State Valkyries picked Monique Billings, who came off the bench for the Phoenix Mercury, as their sole UFA in their expansion draft.
Existing teams were also able to protect six players in the 2024 expansion draft. If that number stays the same, Cunningham could be part of the protected list for the Fever — teams were able to protect outgoing unrestricted free agents in the draft if they were on the roster on the final day of the regular season.
Indiana has just three players under contract for 2026: Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Makayla Timpson. They are able to core Kelsey Mitchell again, and have the rights to Lexie Hull as a restricted free agent and Chloe Bibby as a reserved player.
So, the Fever front office will need to make some decisions. And, of course, all of this hinges on the terms of the upcoming expansion draft being similar to 2024.
Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at capeterson@gannett.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar’s YouTube channel and join Fever Insiders Live.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Will Sophie Cunningham return to Fever in 2026 season? Why she could or might not
Reporting by Chloe Peterson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
