The Fever boast young elite talent, led by No. 1 overall picks Caitlin Clark (who returns after an injury-prone 2025 season) and Aliyah Boston, who got them to the 2025 WNBA semifinals. Yet GMs ranked the team’s young core the 4th best, behind Dallas, Seattle, and Washington. But one analyst disagrees and has laid out the argument for Fever to top the charts. 

“I think I would have picked the Indiana Fever because you have Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark, back-to-back Rookies of the Year,” Noa Dalzell said on Tuesday on ‘WNBA Today on CLNS.’ “I think they would have been my pick. So, I’m surprised they only earned 15% of general manager votes.”

However, last year, the GMs had called Indiana’s young core the best. ESPN had agreed, rating Clark and Boston as a deadly duo along with Lexie Hull and Mikayla Timpson. So, what changed this year? Could Clark’s recurring injuries in 2025 have eroded the confidence of the GMs? 

But the NCAA Division 1 all-time leading scorer redeemed herself with an MVP award at Team USA Qualifiers and averages of 13.3 points and 4.0 assists per game in three preseason games. That’s what makes this enormous swing even more questionable. 

The Fever have also added Raven Johnson, the No. 10 pick, into the mix this year. She brings leadership, defense, and creativity to the table. Johnson has proven in the preseason games that she is more than ready for the big leagues as well. 

In comparison, the Wings’ young core comprises WNBA All-Star Paige Bueckers, Wooden Award finalist Aziaha James, AP All-American JJ Quinerly, and 2026 No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd. The Storm have created a sound foundation with young talents like No. 3 overall pick Awa Fam, Olympic medalist Dominique Malonga, and NCAA Champion Flau’jae Johnson. Meanwhile, the Mystics are banking on gold medalist Lauren Betts, WNBA All-Star Sonia Citron, and Katrina McClain awardee Kiki Iriafen. 

Although all three teams have exceptionally talented players, only Paige Bueckers has proven herself in the WNBA. It is a projection-heavy upside compared to Indiana’s proven mettle.

Clark and Boston’s achievements alone make a solid case for the Fever. Despite scrutiny around her game and long-term durability, Clark remains hungry but with a controlled approach this time around. 

Caitlin Clark reveals approach to navigate scrutiny ahead of third WNBA season

It feels like we have travelled back in time to the moment Clark was entering the league. The then-college superstar and college basketball great was told that “reality” is coming. People criticized her for turnover problems, lack of physicality, and overall underperformance. The point guard proved them all wrong. 

She seems to be in a similar situation after an injury-prone season. ESPN ranked her as the 10th-best player in the league, The Athletic left her off its All-WNBA First Team, and the WNBA GMs voted Chelsea Gray over her as the best point guard with 73% votes. But last year, 50% voted for both, perhaps indicating they have lost faith in Clark. So, she wants to prove them wrong.

“I think people forget that at the end of the day I care more than all of you. I want to be the best, and I’m always analyzing my play and trying to find ways to be better,” Clark said during a media session on Tuesday. “I can always say to allow myself grace, but you always have that fire and hunger inside you to want to be better. You’re a perfectionist, and you get irritated when it doesn’t go your way.”

However, sitting on the sidelines for a year, Clark has matured and doesn’t take failure that seriously anymore. 

“That’s the great thing about the W. It’s game to game to game,” Clark added. “You’re going to play three to four games a week, and you always have an opportunity to turn the page and move on to the next one. I’m just reminding myself of that and reminding myself how lucky I am to be out there playing.”

With Clark back on the team amid scrutiny and Boston improving, the Fever will look to prove to the GMs that it has the best young core.