Candace Parker predicted that Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell might leave the team for another in this free agency. The WNBA free agency opened on Tuesday, allowing the WNBA teams to make their deals in free agency.
After a successful WNBA 2024 season, this free agency has made a big noise in the trade market. With fans still speculating and teams too reluctant to make big moves yet, WNBA legend Candace Parker had some guesses about the next destinations for some free agents.
In a Q&A with Bleacher Report W Sport, Parker was asked to predict the next team for several free agents.
When asked about Seattle Storm's Jewell Loyd, Parker predicted that Loyd would leave Seattle for Chicago Sky. In her reason, Parker said that the Chicago native Loyd has always loved playing at home.
Regarding Caitlin Clark's Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell, the three-time WNBA champion predicted she would join the Golden State Valkyrie. For Nneka Ogwumike, the highest-paid player in the league, Parker said that she would stay with the Seattle Storm.
Alyssa Thomas, one of the stars at the Connecticut Sun will also enter free agency. Parker said that she expected Thomas to either join Atlanta Dream or stay with the Sun.
Caitlin Clark expected to lose veteran teammate in free agency
Caitlin Clark's rookie season wasn't all flowery. At the beginning of her WNBA career in 2024, Clark struggled on both ends of the floor. From bad shooting to turnovers, there were questions about her ability to cope with the pressure in the league.
Amidst all the noise around her, Caitlin Clark always had the support of her veteran teammate Erica Wheeler, who was also a big presence for the team last season. However, it seems like Wheeler might be headed out of Indiana in the free agency.
She recently dropped cryptic posts on her X/Twitter, hinting at her potential exit from Indiana. The veteran Fever star said that her agent had sent her the list of destinations for free agency.
"I'm letting ya'll know now!" Wheeler wrote on X. "Ima drop some hints but ima be real petty about it! It's all fun and games tho! Don't curse me out. My agent sent me a list for free agency. Tuhhhhh."
Erica Wheeler was one of the biggest supporters Clark had on the team. Last year, in September, the Fever rookie told reporters that Wheeler played the most crucial role in helping her "navigate her rookie season."
Last season, Wheeler was also the most impactful veteran voice on the roster. If the 10-year veteran chooses another team over Fever, Caitlin Clark and Co. will likely look to add another veteran star to the team.