The Indiana Fever‘s plans for the 2026 WNBA season are likely to be disrupted by the news of Aliyah Boston‘s injury, and now they might have another potential situation to address pertaining to the forward.
According to the rules laid out by the latest CBA proposal involving the WNBA, Aliyah Boston would be eligible for a max contract this season. Fever will have a decision on their hands because Boston made the All-WNBA team while being on a rookie contract. If this kicker actually comes in will depend on the term sheet for a new CBA, for which the WNBA set deadline is March 10. The WNBA season begins on May 8.
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Apart from Boston, the Fever will also have to take into consideration Kelsey Mitchell’s contract, who will be eligible for another supermax core. If the WNBA CBA proposal ends up going through, it could shake up the team’s composition and chemistry, and force the Fever to make some difficult moves.
According to the proposal, the league allows for All-WNBA First and Second Team players who are still on rookie contracts to become eligible to sign a maximum contract in their 4th year. Like Boston becoming eligible in 2026, this would make Caitlin Clark eligible in 2027. Adding to Fever’s potential cap woes are players like Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham. Mitchell and Cunningham are unrestricted free agents while Hull is a restricted free agent.
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Coming back to Boston, her injury has probably complicated matters further for the Fever, both on and off the court. Boston and Clark have forged a productive partnership for the team, with the former averaging a career-high 15 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals for the team in 2025. Boston’s performances were the reason the Fever made it to the semifinals last season, as injuries to multiple key players (including Clark’s groin problem) threatened to derail their campaign.
Related: Indiana Fever Share Caitlin Clark Update Amid WNBA Issue
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
