Is “the Indiana Fever” the right answer? Not really, according to the WNBA’s general managers.
The league published the results of a GM preseason survey, and while the Fever get many mentions, they aren’t considered a championship contender. Also, according to the survey, Caitlin Clark’s impact may be diminishing.
The Fever did not make a big impression on the GMs for their offseason moves as they gave the Dallas Wings — Indiana’s opening opponent on Saturday, May 9 — the highest marks.
WNBA GMs responded to 42 questions about the best teams, players, coaches and offseason moves. General managers were not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel. Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to that particular question, rather than all 15 GMs.
Will the Indiana Fever win the WNBA championship?
No. The Las Vegas Aces were picked by 40% of the GMs to win a second consecutive title, with the New York Liberty (33%) and Atlanta Dream (27%) splitting the other votes.
Will Caitlin Clark win WNBA MVP in 2026?
Unlikely. Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson, who already has four such honors, is picked to add another by 60% of the GMs. New York’s Breanna Stewart gets 27%, with Clark and Atlanta’s Allisha Gray also receiving votes.
Would you start a franchise around Caitlin Clark?
Maybe. Dallas’ Paige Bueckers won that vote (33%), though Clark and Wilson got 20% each, with Dominique Malonga of the Seattle Storm getting 13%. (Clark won last year’s vote, at 50%.)
Do opposing coaches have to adjust for Caitlin Clark more anyone else?
That’s Wilson’s territory (60%), with the Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas next (13%). Clark and Kelsey Mitchell each got votes.
Is Caitlin Clark the WNBA’s best point guard?
No. Chelsea Gray of the Aces got 73% of the votes, with Clark next at 20%. (Clark and Gray each got 50% last year.)
Is Caitlin Clark the WNBA’s best passer?
She’s second, but far behind the Aces’ Gray (93%).
Is Kelsey Mitchell the WNBA’s best shooting guard?
Another Aces player, Jackie Young, got 27% of that vote, followed by Bueckers (20%). Mitchell was one of three players getting 13% of the vote. (Clark won this vote in 2025, at 33%.)
Is Aliyah Boston the WNBA’s best center?
Of course Las Vegas’ Wilson is winning that vote (57%). New York’s Jonquel Jones got 21% and Indiana’s Aliyah Boston 14%.
Will the Indiana Fever be the WNBA’s best defensive team?
While the Fever are better known for Clark and Mitchell filling the basket, they finished third in this vote at 7%. The Golden State Valkyries got half the votes, and the Atlanta Dream 36%.
Is Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White the WNBA’s best?
Stephanie White didn’t get any votes for that honor, but she tied for second (14%) as the league’s best manager/motivator of people. She was voted sixth (7%) for running the best offense. Briann January tied for second (18%) in voting for the best assistant coach.
Are the Indiana Fever the WNBA’s most fun team to watch?
They’re close. The Wings got 36% of that vote, with the Fever and Dream getting 29% each.
Do the Indiana Fever have the WNBA’s best home-court advantage?
They got second in this vote (21%), but the Golden State Valkyries (64%) made a huge impression on the GMs in their inaugural season.
Do the Indiana Fever have the WNBA’s best young core?
The Wings and Seattle Storm got 31% of that vote each, followed by the Washington Mystics (23%) and the Fever (15%). (The Fever got 50% of the vote last year.)
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: WNBA general manager survey knocks down Indiana Fever from last year
Reporting by Scott Horner, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
