One of the first major moves by Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever this offseason was to acquire free agent Natasha Howard. They signed her on a one-year $214,666 contract. Howard was one of the top free agents on the market because of her stacked resume and top production last season. She averaged 17.6 points and 6.7 rebounds last year, shooting 45.6%.
Howard also brings a wealth of experience as a three-time WNBA champion and former Defensive Player of the Year winner. The move reunited her with the franchise where she began her career 11 years ago.
On Sunday, Natasha Howard shared her thoughts on her return and the perks of joining Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever.
"This is the best I’ve ever been treated in my entire career," Howard tweeted. "The love is unexplainable. I’ve always mattered, now I’m being shown how much of an impact I’ve always been in the league. I can’t lie it feels good. God is so amazing."
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Natasha Howard could have joined any team, but she chose to move to Indiana to play with Caitlin Clark and Co. In an interview with Indy Star, the two-time All-Star said her decision depended on feeling prioritized. Howard believes she didn't receive the same love or appreciation at her previous stops in Minnesota, Seattle, New York and Dallas.
Adding Natasha Howard next to Caitlin Clark was one of Fever's top priorities
The Indiana Fever did their due diligence regarding their offseason moves after new coach Stephania White signed. Their top priorities were adding experience, size, and pieces that fit. On a player level, their goal was to reunite with Natasha Howard and re-sign Kelsey Mitchell.
Howard told IndyStar that she wanted to land somewhere she felt welcomed and at home.
“I’m really happy that they see my talent and they appreciate me as a person, so they’re doing everything to put my face out there. So, I'm just really, really happy and just grateful that I'm just a part of Indiana again, the Fever again, it’s just like a whole 360. And it's just amazing to be back where I started.”
Natasha Howard reinforces the Fever frontcourt alongside other top additions like DeWanna Bonner and Brianna Turner. Indiana needed their size, defense and dynamic skill set to complement the core of Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston. Howard also contributes to locker room leadership as a prominent voice for the young centerpieces gunning for their maiden championship.
