Kelsey Mitchell holds the cards in Indianapolis, and coming off a blistering season where she led the Indiana Fever back into the postseason, the four-time All-Star hits unrestricted free agency with considerable leverage.<\/p>\n
Recording impressive production and consistently bailing out broken possessions, her future with the franchise has been up for a hot debate across the Fever fanbase, with ESPN legend Linda Cohn also chiming in, though her stance did not exactly win any admirers.<\/p>\n
Linda Cohn\u2019s Roster Formula For Indiana Draws Fire Across Social Media<\/p>\n
ESPN veteran Cohn sparked the conversation this week by declaring that Indiana\u2019s next front office should view two players as untouchable foundations, arguing that building around Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston must remain the priority.<\/p>\n
Regarding Mitchell, the veteran broadcaster began her assessment by noting how little is settled within the franchise.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t even know if she\u2019s going to sign with the Fever. We don\u2019t even know if she\u2019s going to be back. We don\u2019t know. And I\u2019m not sure I\u2019d want her back, as long as they find potential free agents that can pick up that scoring load,\u201d Cohn said, while backing Mitchell\u2019s right to test the market.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know she\u2019s talented. And we know she\u2019s going to look for the big bucks elsewhere. And good for her; that\u2019s why you\u2019re an unrestricted free agent. You can do what you want. It\u2019s great. I\u2019m over the Kelsey Mitchell thing. She can go if she has to,\u201d Cohn said.<\/p>\n
Supporters and critics on YouTube immediately staked out opposing corners online.<\/p>\n
Some saw Mitchell\u2019s isolation-heavy style as an awkward fit alongside Clark\u2019s pass-first approach, as one fan laid out the entire roadmap: \u201cFever checklist: Hire competent GM. Hire new coach. Run offense through Caitlin Clark\u2026 Replace Mitchell with a shooting guard that can get you 12-16 points, play solid defense, and actually pass the ball back to Caitlin Clark.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another fan welcomed Cohn\u2019s willingness to address the elephant in the room: \u201cThank you for being so honest. It\u2019s the first time I\u2019ve heard someone say something true about K.M. Let it stay or go. Let\u2019s move on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, a vocal portion of the fanbase was protective of Mitchell\u2019s veteran presence.<\/p>\n
\u201cI agree that most of these players probably would love to play with Caitlin Clark and such an enthusiastic fan base,\u201d one hoops fan wrote. \u201cYou always have to qualify where these reports come from\u2026 Kelsey Mitchell played with MVP chants ringing in her ears most of the year. I cannot believe she hates playing here\u2026 I think she wants money. It is her best chance for a big contract. And I would love to see her back.\u201d<\/p>\n