Trade Ideas to Help Caitlin Clark, Fever After Early WNBA Playoff Loss

The Indiana Fever's 2026 season is officially over after a 94-83 loss to the Las Vegas Aces in Game 3 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs.

Let's be clear: Losing to prime A'ja Wilson in a winner-take-all game doesn't mean Indiana's season was a failure, especially when the Fever fought deep into the fourth quarter in their last loss. However, that doesn't mean there aren't clear areas where this roster needs to improve.

Indiana needs to get better defensively across the perimeter and add depth at center behind Aliyah Boston. However, the biggest question heading into the offseason is whether Kelsey Mitchell re-signs or goes elsewhere in free agency.

With that said, here are four trade ideas Indiana should consider this offseason, whether Mitchell returns or not.

Minnesota Lynx receive: Lexie Hull, 2027 first-round pick (No. 10), 2028 first-round pick

There might not be a team facing more uncertainty this offseason than Minnesota, with much of it hinging on Napheesa Collier's free agency decision. If Collier leaves, the Lynx could have to reconsider their timeline with their other three starters all entering their age-33 seasons or later, potentially opening the door for a retool around Olivia Miles.

Assuming Collier doesn't end up in Indiana (which, frankly, would be the dream scenario for the Fever), what if Indiana explored a trade for Kayla McBride, who is coming off an All-WNBA-caliber season?

McBride is the best movement shooter in the WNBA and an elite screener, making her an excellent fit alongside Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. She's also an outstanding defender with great feel both on and off the ball. McBride would immediately become Indiana's best perimeter defender and address a major weakness for a defense that ranked last among all playoff teams.

The biggest obstacle is making the salary cap work. McBride has one year remaining on her contract and is set to make over $1.25 million in 2027. With Clark eligible for a max extension this offseason under the WNBA's EPIC provision—similar to the extension Boston signed last year—taking on McBride's salary would be difficult unless Kelsey Mitchell leaves in free agency.

Minnesota also has little reason to move McBride for a mediocre return, given how well she fits alongside Miles.

If Indiana isn't willing to trade two first-round picks, the Fever could send the No. 10 pick in the 2027 draft to Minnesota for the Lynx's No. 15 selection, along with Indiana's 2028 first-round pick. That would give Minnesota additional draft capital while allowing Indiana to move back just five spots in the first round.

New York Liberty receive: Lexie Hull, 2027 second-round pick (No. 10)

Would Satou Sabally help Indiana's defensive issues? Probably not. However, she has been linked to the Fever before, and with a salary of just $855,000, a trade could be feasible here.

A package centered around Lexie Hull and a second-round pick could make sense for both sides, especially given Sabally's injury history and Indiana's defensive concerns.

Sabally played just 13 games in 2026 after dealing with a knee cyst early in the season before suffering a severe concussion in late June that sidelined her for the remainder of the year. She has also missed more than 40 percent of her team's games since she was drafted in 2020.

If Sabally can stay healthy, imagine a lineup featuring Clark, Mitchell, Sabally and Boston.

New York, meanwhile, could use a 3-and-D wing like Hull. Rebecca Allen is retiring from the WNBA after this season and Rebekah Gardner is entering her age-37 season.

Indiana Fever receive: Monique Akoa-Makani, 2027 second-round pick (No. 16)

Los Angeles Sparks receive: Raven Johnson, 2027 first-round pick (No. 10)

There's no doubt Raven Johnson was a bright spot for Indiana against Las Vegas.

The 23-year-old averaged 7.3 points on 45 percent shooting from the field after stepping into the backup guard role for Ty Harris, who suffered a broken left fibula in the final game of the regular season.

But what if Indiana could acquire a more established player with a similar archetype to Johnson simply by moving back six spots in the 2027 draft? From the Fever's perspective, that would be an appealing tradeoff—though Los Angeles may require additional value to agree to it.

Monique Akoa-Makani wasn't quite as good in 2026 as she was in 2025, but she remains an elite point-of-attack defender. The 25-year-old is incredibly strong, has good size at 5'10" and has shot 39 percent from three over her first two seasons.

The question with Johnson is whether she'll ever become a good enough shooter to consistently space the floor next to Clark in the backcourt. Akoa-Makani is the better player right now, only a couple years older and would easily be the best perimeter defender on the roster.

Updated Playoff Bracket After Liberty Advance 😯

Indiana Fever receive: Olivia Nelson-Ododa

Houston Comets receive: Monique Billings, 2027 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick

Indiana also needs to address its backup center spot. When Aliyah Boston was off the court this season, opponents shot 66.3 percent at the rim (a +7.9% swing), according to Databallr .

One option could be Olivia Nelson-Ododa, who averaged 10.1 points and 5.9 rebounds on 58.1 percent shooting from two for the Connecticut Sun this season. Those numbers jumped to 11.8 points and 7.3 rebounds when she started.

If Nelson-Ododa is your starting center, you probably aren't a particularly good team. But you feel pretty good if she's your backup behind Boston.

As Connecticut transitions to the Houston Comets next season, it could seek Monique Billings and a first-round pick in a deal. The Fever should prefer to limit their outgoing draft compensation to two second-rounders.