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The Fever need help, so here's 3 trades and 3 free agents to consider

The Indiana Fever are not playing to their potential right now, and the team's frontcourt issues are a big reason as to why.

Outside of superstar forward Aliyah Boston and standout free agent forward Myisha Hines-Allen, the team just doesn't have many impact players factoring in to the regular rotations. Is there anything Indiana can do to fix that?

Outside of improvement from forwards Monique Billings and Makayla Timpson or impacts from 2026 rookie forwards like Grace VanSlooten and Justine Pissott, the Fever can't do much in-house. The team would have to look outside of Indiana to find some help. Luckily for the Fever, there are options available via trade and free agency.

Let's break down who they are and why they would make sense for an Indiana team that needs some help.

3 TRADE CANDIDATES

Sun F Olivia Nelson-Ododa

Center Olivia Nelson-Ododa #10 of the Connecticut Sun reacts to a foul call during the second half of the game against the Portland Fire at Moda Center on May 27, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)

The Sun (Comets) look like they're trying to win the JuJu Watkins sweepstakes at this point in time for the move to Houston. That could inspire Connecticut to make a deal or two if the losses keep piling up. Nelson-Ododa had played in Stephanie White's system from the latter's time with the Sun; she's the kind of defensive threat that Indiana is sorely lacking right now. Her $735k cap hit would be a lot, but perhaps Indiana could unload Billings' contract in a trade to even out the fiscal impact and throw in a good draft pick for Connecticut to facilitate a deal. Bailing on Billings so early might seem like an overreaction, but the Fever desperately need the defensive help if contending for a title is even vaguely in the cards. Adding Nelson-Ododa would be a big swing to help fix that.

PROPOSED TRADE: Nelson-Ododa to Indiana for Billings and a 2027 second-round pick

Storm F Katie Lou Samuelson

Katie Lou Samuelson #33 of the Seattle Storm attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Sparks at Climate Pledge Arena on June 10, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images)

Samuelson is probably the easiest contract Indiana could swing to add familiar veteran depth to the frontcourt. While Samuelson isn't doing a ton on a struggling Seattle Storm team, she knows most of this Fever locker room well after playing in Indiana in 2024. Samuelson could come off the bench and help keep the team balanced on defense if teams start going on runs. In this situation, the Fever send a draft pick and two players to get this done.

PROPOSED TRADE: Samuelson to Indiana for F Damiris Dantas, F Grace VanSlooten and a 2027 third-round pick

Sky C Elizabeth Williams

Williams could be the perfect backup center to help give Boston a break or step in and help with boards and paint scoring if Boston gets in foul trouble. She's got a $600k cap hit, but Chicago could be a good landing spot for Billings in a player-for-player trade. Both players could use a change of scenery for how their 2026 seasons have gone. Indiana could fill in the "four" in-house with Hines-Allen and add Williams to solidify the frontcourt depth. Chicago would have to cut a player to accomodate Billings' contract, which is doable to make all of this work.

PROPOSED TRADE: Williams to Indiana for Billings

3 FREE AGENTS

C Kalani Brown

Brown might be the best option available in free agency to help the Fever on the defensive side of the court. She averaged about five points and four rebounds last season with the Phoenix Mercury, a team that made it to the WNBA Finals. If the Fever cut a player on the back end of the roster, they could accommodate adding Brown to a rest-of-season contract. She's available now and could probably step in and make a direct impact on the boards.

F Aerial Powers

Powers played a big role in helping the Fever make the playoffs down the stretch in 2025; she's a high-energy addition on the court and an excellent person to have in the locker room. She knows White's scheme and last played on the best Fever team since 2015. If the Fever want somebody who can come off the bench and just help with pace and effort, adding Powers would be a smart move. Her defense is so-so, but anything will do at this point for Indy.

F Chloe Bibby

Bibby gave the Fever an ideal "stretch four" in the nine games she played last season, making an instant impact from beyond the arc. While her defense leaves a bit to be desired at this point, she's a familiar fit that would at least help the team on the offensive side. Now, we know we mentioned the need for defensive help so far, but... look, anything that can take this team back to some of its 2025 successes has to be considered right now.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: The Fever need help, so here's 3 trades and 3 free agents to consider

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