Caitlin Clark's Fever are loading up with new talent around her

The Indiana Fever aren't wasting time. After a breakout 2025 season powered by rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, the team is making bold moves to surround her with more talent. With the 2026 WNBA season on the horizon, the Fever have re-signed key guard Lexie Hull and are closing in on adding veteran forward Sophie Cunningham, signaling a serious push for contention.

Hull, who played alongside Clark at Stanford and has developed into a reliable two-way guard, decided to stay with Indiana, a move that brings back valuable chemistry. The two have a well-documented off-court bond, but their on-court connection-especially in transition and half-court sets-gave the Fever a spark last year. Keeping Hull stabilizes the backcourt and gives head coach Christie Sides a trusted piece to build around.

But the bigger buzz is around Sophie Cunningham. The physical, defensive-minded forward has spent most of her career with the Phoenix Mercury and is now a free agent. Clark took an unusually public role in recruitment, posting a now-viral message on social media that simply read, 'Come to Indy,' followed by a heart and a basketball. While the league frowns on tampering, the post was lighthearted enough to skate by-and it captured how much Clark wants to win now.

Adding Cunningham would fill a clear need. The Fever struggled at times defensively last season, especially against bigger, more physical teams in the paint. Cunningham brings toughness, experience, and leadership-qualities that could help a young roster handle playoff pressure. At 29, she's in her prime and could serve as both a mentor and a floor-spacer next to Clark.

These moves reflect a franchise that's shifting from rebuild to contender mode. After years near the bottom of the standings, the Fever drew record crowds in 2025 thanks to Clark's star power and exciting play. Now, ownership and management appear willing to invest in winning, not just hype. That includes not just player signings but upgraded training facilities and expanded front-office staffing.

Still, turning a promising season into a championship run is never guaranteed. The WNBA is stacked with talent, and teams like the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty are reloading, not rebuilding. For all the excitement around Clark's passing and scoring, Indiana will need consistent contributions from the full roster to make real noise in the playoffs.

One thing is clear: the Fever aren't treating last year as a peak. They're treating it as a starting point. With Clark leading the charge-on and off the court-the team's ambition is no longer just to compete. It's to win it all.