After a tough loss to the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday night, Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever’s season came to a close. Despite the defeat, the future looks promising for the Fever, as they completed one of the most remarkable seasons in WNBA history. However, some uncertainty looms with third-year player NaLyssa Smith possibly signaling her departure. Recently, Smith posted a heartfelt message on Twitter (now “X”) and removed the Fever from her Instagram bio. While she’s not a free agent this offseason, these actions suggest she might be considering a trade request.
In response to the speculation surrounding NaLyssa Smith’s potential departure, fans have started floating an intriguing trade idea that could bring Las Vegas Aces’ rookie Kate Martin to the Indiana Fever. Martin, a former teammate of Caitlin Clark at Iowa, is already one of the most beloved players in the WNBA, making this potential reunion a thrilling prospect for Fever fans.
While reuniting Caitlin Clark with Kate Martin would be great for team chemistry, it might not be the most practical move for the Indiana Fever. With two strong young players already on the roster, the team will likely focus on acquiring players who can make an immediate impact, rather than a chemistry-driven trade.
For context, Kate Martin averaged 2.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game this season with the Las Vegas Aces. While she shows promise, her current production wouldn’t significantly improve the Indiana Fever immediately. In contrast, NaLyssa Smith has been a key contributor, averaging over 10 points, 7.0 rebounds, and playing solid defense, making her impact on the team much more substantial.
Nalyssa Smith for Kate Martin, who says no?
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) September 26, 2024
That said, NaLyssa Smith’s production this season was a step down from her previous year, where she averaged 15 points per game. This decline suggests that staying in Indiana might not be the ideal situation for her. However, acquiring Kate Martin wouldn’t be enough to fill the gap left by Smith, especially if the Fever are aiming to contend for a championship.