The Indiana Fever’s plans for the 2026 WNBA season took a significant turn on Friday. This is after the league held the WNBA Expansion Draft 2026 ahead of the debut of two new teams in the upcoming season.
The Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo will play their inaugural seasons in 2026. On Friday, they each selected 11 players from a pool of designated WNBA players.
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Fever general manager Amber Cox and the team’s front office were given the right to protect five players on their roster, similar to all the other teams in the WNBA.
This meant that all other players under contract with each team were eligible for the Fire or the Tempo to draft on Friday. Free agents are not included in the designated pool.
Indiana Fever guards Caitlin Clark and Lexie Hull cheering with assistant coaches Karima Christmas-Kelly and Briann January.© Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(© Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Indiana lost two players on Friday. The Fire selected forward Chloe Bibby, who joined Indiana as a mid-season recruit in 2025. The Tempo, on the other hand, drafted guard Kristy Wallace, who was still under contract with the Fever despite last playing for the team in 2024.
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Cox took to social media to send a message to both players now that they are officially parting ways with the Fever.
“Wishing Chloe and Kristy the very best. Bibs will always be a part of the Fever family – hit some big shots in key moments for us last season! And what a fantastic human! Never got to work directly w/ Kristy but enjoyed our few interactions and thrilled to see her back in the W!” Cox posted on X.
This unfortunate turn of events will require the Fever to make certain adjustments to their roster ahead of the new season.
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Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston will still lead their core. Their priority will now be to re-sign their key players, including Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull, to name a few.
The Fever can begin negotiating new deals with these players on Thursday once the free agency negotiation window officially opens.
Related: Sophie Cunningham Makes Indiana Fever Announcement on Sunday
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
