Valkyries Could Steal Soon-To-Be Ex-Fever Star Kelsey Mitchell, More Free Agents

The Golden State Valkyries are heading to the WNBA Finals in just their second season, and they could make life even more miserable for Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever this offseason.

Kelsey Mitchell is among the biggest names expected to hit unrestricted free agency, and Golden State has plenty of reasons to pursue the Indiana star. The Valkyries have already shown they can win without a superstar, but adding one of the league’s most dangerous scorers could turn them into an even bigger problem for the rest of the WNBA.

Mitchell has spent her entire professional career in Indiana. After another season of playoff disappointment, however, she has to decide whether the Fever remain the best place to chase a championship.

That said, her exit interview provided more than enough proof that she’s had enough of the circus in Indy.

Golden State offers an alternative that’s compelling to say the least.

Kelsey Mitchell discusses all the noise surrounding the Indiana Fever this season:

“Showing up every day to compete for fans that may or may not like you is hard…Playing with CC & having the eyes that she got, we get a lot of flack for just being on her team”

Mitchell gave Indiana plenty of reasons to want her back. She scored 1,086 points in 2026, a WNBA single-season record, while averaging 24.7 points per game. She also shot 45% from three. If Golden State wants another scorer who can take over a game, she’s it.

And the Valkyries have a pretty good pitch.

Golden State reached the Finals by leaning on defense, depth, and a roster that doesn’t depend on one player to carry the offense every night. Gabby Williams helped lead the charge, while head coach Natalie Nakase built a team that can beat established contenders. The Valkyries swept the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals, proving their formula can hold up against championship-caliber opposition.

Now imagine adding Mitchell’s scoring to that mix.

She could give Golden State a reliable go-to option when possessions get ugly in the playoffs. The Valkyries already have the supporting cast and defensive identity to compete. An elite scorer who can drop 25 points on any given night would make them even harder to eliminate.

Indiana, meanwhile, has to worry about losing a player who’s been mission-critical to its offense. Mitchell discussed the difficulties of playing for the Fever during her exit interview, including the toxicity surrounding parts of the fanbase. Golden State offers a different environment, with a devoted crowd that has embraced the franchise in its first two seasons.

Mitchell hasn’t announced she intends to leave Indiana, and Golden State hasn’t secured her services by any means. But the possibility is enough to make the Valkyries an intriguing destination.

Mitchell isn’t the only star they could target, either.

Napheesa Collier, Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum are also major unrestricted free-agent possibilities on Golden State’s immediate radar, and each would bring something different.

There are also plenty of ties that could help facilitate big moves. Collier has a connection with Gabby Williams from their time playing together, while Young knows Nakase from their days in Las Vegas. Young also has former Aces teammates Kiah Stokes and Tiffany Hayes in Golden State. Plum is another potential target as the Valkyries look to add more firepower.

The Valkyries have the financial flexibility, facilities, fan support and on-court success to make a serious pitch to any of them.

That is a remarkable position for a franchise in only its second year. Golden State has already built a team that can reach the Finals without assembling a collection of household names. Now it has a chance to add one.

For Indiana, the stakes are obvious. Losing Mitchell would leave a massive hole in the Fever’s offense that had the top two scorers. For the Valkyries, signing her could turn a surprise contender into a perennial championship threat.

Either way, Mitchell is a sensational talent who will succeed wherever she ultimately lands. Until then, all we can do is hold our breath.