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The Indiana Fever are making strategic moves ahead of the 2025 WNBA trade deadline at 3pm ET on Thursday, aiming to boost their roster while awaiting the return of star player Kate Rinklark from injury.

Currently holding a 17-12 record, the Fever face pressure to strengthen their team to remain competitive in the playoff race. Meanwhile, some top contenders like the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty have been actively enhancing their squads. The Lynx, leading the league with a 24-5 record, added Dallas Wings guard Dijon Carrington to bolster their defense alongside MVP frontrunner Nafisa Collier. The Liberty, the reigning WNBA champions with an 18-10 record, focused on signing overseas talent Emma Meesman, adding experienced former Finals MVPs to their already strong frontcourt.

With Lynx and Liberty holding the best championship odds (+160 and +185, respectively, according to ESPN BET), other contenders including the Phoenix Mercury (+650), Fever (+1000), and Atlanta Dream (+1400) will need to make significant improvements as the trade deadline approaches.

The Fever, who recently defeated the Lynx in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Final without Rinklark, are targeting three key players to enhance their chances once she returns: Tina Charles (C, Connecticut Sun), Satou Sabally (F, Phoenix Mercury), and Azura Stevens (F/C, Los Angeles Sparks). Each potential trade is designed to add valuable depth and firepower to head coach Stephanie White’s rotation.

Key trade considerations for the Fever include:

• The Collective Bargaining Agreement ends after the 2025 season, with rising salary caps expected in 2026, making rookie contracts and draft picks highly valuable.
• The Fever’s frontcourt depth is thin behind starters Aliya Boston and Natasha Howard, requiring additional scoring and floor spacing to compete against powerhouses like the Lynx and Liberty.
• Indiana has been active recently, moving forward Dewanna Bonner and acquiring guard Aari McDonald and forward Chloe Bibby, currently on a five-game winning streak despite missing Rinklark.

The proposed trades are:

1. Tina Charles (Connecticut Sun):
   Indiana would receive Charles, who carries a $170,000 salary cap hit, in exchange for Damiris Dantas ($100,000 cap hit) and a 2027 second-round pick. Charles, a former MVP without a WNBA title, is an upgrade who can fortify Indiana’s frontcourt alongside Boston, offering more lineup flexibility.

2. Satou Sabally (Phoenix Mercury):
   Indiana could trade Natasha Howard for Sabally, who has a $215,000 cap hit. Despite some recent struggles due to injury and team dynamics, Sabally is an All-Star capable of elevating the team’s offensive potential, possibly creating a high-scoring lineup with Clark, Mitchell, Bibby, and Boston.

3. Azura Stevens (Los Angeles Sparks):
   The Fever could acquire Stevens for Sophie Cunningham and Damiris Dantas, along with a 2026 first-round pick going to the Sparks. Stevens is having a career-best season and provides crucial floor spacing and defense. While the trade requires giving up valuable assets, it could significantly boost the Fever’s championship aspirations.

Indiana’s front office leaders, Kelly Krauskopf and GM Amber Cox, are weighing these options carefully, knowing that further moves might be necessary to close the gap with the top contenders.

Fan Take: This series of potential trades signals a bold commitment from the Indiana Fever to emerge as serious title contenders in the 2025 season. For WNBA fans, these moves highlight the increasing competitiveness and strategic depth of the league, promising thrilling playoff battles and elevating the sport’s overall profile.