Sophie Cunningham’s future with the Indiana Fever has yet to be decided. franchise after being eliminated by the Las Vegas Aces in the first round of the WNBA playoffs start planning for next season with Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston as its cornerstones. However, there are two issues that require immediate attention: Cunningham and Kelsey Mitchell are out of contract and will be unrestricted free agents.
Cunningham was Indiana’s leading scorer off the bench in 2026. Averaged 7.9 points per game and shot 41.9% from three-point range in 43 games. His production dipped in August and September, and he averaged 7.3 points in the series against Las Vegas. General manager Amber Cox praised his leadership and presence in the locker room, though the franchise has not confirmed whether it will seek to re-sign him.
Stephanie White explained what Indiana needs
Head coach Stephanie White has hinted at the direction she wants for the team. In addition to trying to keep Mitchell, he pointed out that the Fever needs to find “complementary pieces for our Big 3” consisting of Mitchell, Clark and Boston.
White described the profile he was looking for: a tall, athletic forward who can defend the perimeter, pressure opponents, help on the boards, attack the rim and provide a constant threat from three-point range. He also emphasized the importance of buying more consistent production from the bench.
Sophie Cunningham reveals her busy off-season schedule as Fever fans await her next move
Cunningham has one of the virtues that goes with this idea: outside shooting. In his two seasons with Indiana, he made 42.4% of his three-pointers. However, defense could be the deciding factor in determining his spot in the draft. The player himself admitted that he wants to step up his intensity in that area and establish himself as a 3-and-D specialist, meaning a player who contributes both defensively and shooting three-pointers.
About his future, Cunningham avoided making a prediction. “I don’t know what the season has in store for me,” he said on his Unhesitating podcast.
Caitlin Clark also touched on the makeup of the team and He pointed to defense as one of the areas Indiana needs to improve to compete more consistently. His approach is consistent with White’s pursuit: a team capable of maintaining offensive production and responding better on the other side of the court.
Kelsey Mitchell, Priority of Fire
Kelsey Mitchell’s condition could affect the remaining moves. The shooting guard is averaging 24.7 points per game and the franchise has expressed a desire to keep him long-term.. However, Mitchell also did not guarantee its durability and admitted that he would have to weigh his own interests before making a decision.
The player also spoke about the emotional toll that the constant exposure surrounding the team and having to compete under the scrutiny of the fans can create. His remarks added another dimension to the negotiations, which was not limited to the sports aspect.
Clark, for his part, expressed his desire to continue playing alongside Mitchell and supported his teammate after his comments about the pressure around the Fever. Retaining one of the leading scorers for Indiana appears to be one of the market’s priorities. What happens with Mitchell will also affect the scheduling of the rest of the roster.
When will Sophie Cunningham’s future be revealed?
The exact date of WNBA free agency for 2027 has not yet been officially confirmed. Therefore, there is no specific day to know if Cunningham will stay in Indiana or listen to offers from other franchises. Talks will also depend on how the new Fever roster settles and how much room is left to strengthen other positions.
While waiting for that decision, Cunningham already has things planned. The American will play in Project B, a new international professional 5-on-5 league that will begin in 2027 and travel to cities in Europe, Asia and the Americas. He was a co-founder of the project Grady Burnett, former executive director of Facebook and Google, and Geoff Prentice, co-founder of Skype, and Kelsey Mitchell will also perform. Cunningham explained that she plans to play from January to April, just before the WNBA training camp. Valencia from March 12 to 22 and Tokyo from March 26 to April 4 are already among the confirmed stops for the race, which aims to operate in a traveling Grand Prix format.
“It’s going to be incredible. I’ll be playing from January to April until training camp starts. We’ll be in several countries,” Cunningham said on Oct. 5. “It will be a great opportunity to expand my brand globally, but at the same time I will be able to come back, continue to make money and also enjoy the season.”
Cunningham’s tenure remains open. His ability to score from the perimeter and experience in the locker room work in his favor, but Indiana is looking to improve its defense and must address Mitchell’s future first. Those decisions will determine how much of a point guard the Fever build around Clark and Boston in the draft.