Sophie Cunningham has established herself as a key piece for the Indiana Fever in just one year. She brought energy, became a reliable option in the backcourt, and emerged as the team’s enforcer. Despite being limited due to an MCL tear, he averaged 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Yet, is that enough to secure her future in Indiana?

It doesn’t seem so. As WNBA front offices are now preparing for the second expansion draft for the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo, ESPN’s Kevin Pelton had a few things to say about Cunningham.

“Unless an expansion team sees Cunningham as a core candidate, that would leave them choosing between a pair of unprotected Aussies, Bibby and Wallace,” he wrote. Natasha Howard has already been “cored” twice and is no longer eligible. This leaves Fever to choose from the rest of the roster. 

Unlike last year, teams can only protect five players instead of six. That means everyone else becomes eligible for expansion teams to select. So Pelton came up with a unique protected five for the Indiana Fever. He did not include Sophie Cunningham.

Pelton believes Indy will protect Mikayla Timpson, alongside Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, and Lexie Hull. The fifth slot, however, was expected to go to Cunningham because of her experience and on-court value. Especially considering her veteran leadership, versatility, and popularity.

At #7, Sophie Cunningham was the only female athlete on Google’s top 10 most searched people list this year. But what about Cunningham herself?

What’s Sophie Cunningham planning for the future?

During the December 1 episode of Caleb Pressley’s Halftime Circus show on X, she made her situation very clear.

“I am not with any team right now. No one is with anybody… I’m part of the new CBA, and I’m waiting to see who I’m gonna be with. So it could be with the Fever, it might not be with the Fever.”

She’s aiming for a bigger contract,  something that could help her buy a house. However, she has also expressed her desire to remain in Indiana. Still, she’s entering free agency along with most of the Fever roster. Only Clark, Boston, and Timpson remain on rookie deals. The rest are unrestricted free agents. 

So as Sophie said, her future depends on the new CBA. Until then, she’s up for Project B, some golf, and a lot of fun. 

Written by

Yashika Dutta

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi