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Aari McDonald has placed the Indiana fever in a tight place. The fever, who signed the former La Sparks guard for a hardship contract, is 2-0 since McDonald came to the team. Indiana may have to let go of an unprotected player to keep the 5-foot-6 guard.
The fever had the opportunity to acquire McDonald after Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham had perished with injuries. With both out for several games, the team could not meet the minimum requirement of 10 available players. The fever signed McDonald as soon as they were eligible for the exception of the emergency aid.
Cunningham or Clark could soon return from the Let -Off of injuries, which means that the total healthy players are brought to 10. Per WNBA rules, the fever must cut Aari McDonald. To keep her, the team must let an unprotected player go.
Potential unprotected players who can cut the fever to keep Aari McDonald
#4. Makayla Timeson
The no. 19 Pick in the WNBA design of 2025 earned the last Indiana Fever place above Jaelyn Brown. Indiana could not keep Brown what the 12th name would have been on the Roster, because of the limitations of the salary cap.
Aari McDonald’s immediate impact and unmistakable contributions to the team can force the fever to let Mikayla Times go. The Rookie, which has not played a match this season, has a three -year deal $ 217,640. She is in the books in her debut campaign for $ 69,267.
McDonald was able to take her place if the fever chooses to cut the former Staatsster of Florida.
#3. Brianna Turner
Brianna Turner is another player of an unprotected contract, which will put her on the payroll this season for $ 85k. The veteran center has hardly played this season, making it a potential victim when the Indiana fever draws Aari McDonald. Turner is on average 0.6 points and 1.0 rebounds in 5.4 minutes per match.
McDonald’s energy, crowds and defense can be too tempting for the fever to let go, so that the days of Turner in Indiana can be numbered.
#2. Sophie Cunningham
A nagging ankle injury plagued the first season of Sophie Cunningham outside of Phoenix. She has an unprotected, one -year -old, $ 100k deal with the fever. The value of Cunningham is in its defense, crowds and shooting outside. It is an average of 6.5 ppg, 3.3 rpb and 1.5 APG. Cunningham’s 36.4% Efficiency from Deep can make it a serious reduction for the fever.
Aari McDonald has made her teammates better in two games with the team. Cunningham saw the fever benefit from McDonald’s play option. A Cunningham-McDonald connection from the bank may be too good for coach Stephanie White.
#1. Sydney Colson
Aari McDonald surpassed Sydney Colson in her first game with the Indiana Fever. McDonald played so well that White played her 27 minutes from the couch to Colson’s 16. The former Sparks star had more control over the attack and showed better chemistry with her new teammates after one training.
Colson, on a one-year-old $ 90k contract, has a serious competition for its back-up point guard role. The double champion with the Las Vegas Aces 3.0 ppg, 1.7 APG and 1.1 RPG. She makes 42.1% of her shots, including 30.0% of deep.
In the meantime, Aari McDonald is an average of 9.5 ppg, 3.5 APG and 1.5 rpg while shooting 40.0%, including 36.4% from behind the arc. The fever can keep McDonald at the expense of Colson based on their number.
Published by Michael Macasero