Kelsey Mitchell reaped the benefits of her hard work through the years. This came in the form of a record-breaking one-year, $1.4 million supermax contract with the Indiana Fever in WNBA free agency. Mitchell is now the first player in franchise history to secure a $1 million+ contract.
This big-money deal came after Mitchell’s incredible season in 2025. With Caitlin Clark missing most of the campaign due to injury, Mitchell had to carry much of the load for Indiana. She played all 44 games in the regular season, averaging a career-high 20.2 points on 45.6% shooting, 1.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.5 triples in 31.4 minutes per game.
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Mitchell finished fifth in the MVP race last season.
Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell celebrates against the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA Playoffs© Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Mitchell is now entering Year 9. She has played her entire career with the Fever, which selected her second overall in the 2018 WNBA Draft.
Mitchell has had the opportunity to play alongside dozens of teammates during her nine years in Indiana. One player who has left a lasting mark on her is veteran forward Emma Cannon.
On Sunday, the Los Angeles Sparks announced that they have signed Cannon to a new deal. Mitchell caught wind of the news, and she sent her congratulations to her former Fever teammate.
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“get what you deserve. REALLY one of my backbones……” Mitchell wrote in an Instagram story, sharing the Sparks’ announcement post.
Cannon had two stints with the Fever. She first joined them in 2021. The 6-foot-2 forward returned the following year as a mid-season recruit. Cannon suited up for the Fever between 2022 and 2023.
Mitchell was teammates with Canon throughout the latter’s entire team in Indiana. It is clear that these two formed a special bond. Mitchell continues to support her former teammate even though they are now on opposing sides.
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Related: Fever Fans Left in Tears Over Parting Message to Two-Time All-Star
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.