We’re just weeks away from another WNBA season tipping off. And fans? They’re ready! The buzzer beaters, the blowout wins, the nonstop storylines—bring it on! One of the biggest talking points? Year 2 of Caitlin Clark. Can she lead the Fever to a title? Can last year’s Rookie of the Year take home the MVP? Well, her new teammate definitely has that goal in mind. But reporters and analysts agree that it won’t be easy.

Six months from now, if someone from the Indiana Fever is named the 2025 WNBA MVP, most fans would assume it’s Caitlin Clark. And that would be fair. She’s the face of the franchise and arguably their best player.  But on April 30, it became clear she’s not the only one with MVP dreams.

When asked about her personal goals for the season, veteran forward Natasha Howard didn’t hold back. “One thing for me, I actually want to win MVP. I was close to getting it in 2019, but that’s years behind now. But MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. But at the end, it’s holding that [championship] trophy.” Big goals. Big mindset. But are they realistic?

Ross Gold of the Good Follow podcast was certainly not amused by the comments Natasha Howard made. She let it be known. She said, “I will say is this — she’s 33. Natasha Howard is 33 years old, and I would like my veteran players to be a little bit more immediately self-aware in their role, in the mission to get the trophy that she discussed—that championship. The comment itself is lacking in some self-awareness because the year is 2025, you know. Like, Natasha Howard has at best been a Defensive Player of the Year, has been a champion. She’s an excellent player, but I don’t think it’s an insult to say that this Fever team is first and foremost being built around Caitlin Clark.”

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Caitlin Clark is the +200 favorite to win the 2025 WNBA MVP. Right behind her? The reigning MVP, A’ja Wilson, is at +220.BetMGM Sportsbook say the same. They have Clark at +200 and Wilson at +210. So, Clark will enter her sophomore season in the W with the best odds to win MVP. As good as Natasha Howard is and everything she’s done for the game, it’s fair to say she’s got a steep climb if she wants to win it.

Her best shot came back in 2019 with the Storm, where she averaged 18.2 points and 8.2 rebounds that season. But even then, she lost out to Elena Delle Donne. That said, there doesn’t seem to be any rivalry brewing between the two. In a recent interview, the veteran forward didn’t hold back her praise. She even compared Clark to two all-time greats. Let’s take a look at what she had to say about the Indiana superstar.

Caitlin Clark reminds Natasha Howard of All-Time greats

The Indiana Fever front office made it clear this offseason—they wanted veteran leadership and championship experience to support coach Stephanie White. Signing players like Natasha Howard, DeWanna Bonner, and Sydney Colson proved that point. But if you ask Howard, the Fever didn’t have to look too far for leadership. They already had someone stepping up.

When asked how Caitlin Clark compares to WNBA legends, Howard didn’t hold back with her praise: “I see it already in practice. Like, she’s talking, talking to us in the huddles and stuff. I feel like it’s natural for her, ’cause she did it at Iowa for the four years that she was at Iowa,” she said. “So I feel like she’s gonna be in that category with the Sue Birds and Diana Taurasis and stuff like that,” Howard added.

It will definitely be interesting to see how the MVP race plays out. Will Natasha Howard be in the mix? Or will it come down to the likes of Clark, Collier, and A’ja? It’s definitely one to watch. Stay tuned for more updates!