Caitlin Clark’s injury absence is changing the competitive landscape at Team USA, and it’s giving someone an unexpected advantage.

Kelsey Mitchell has become the main defensive option against top guards like Paige Bueckers now that Clark is out for the offseason recovering from injuries.

Analyst Sabreena Merchant made an astounding comment about the guard hierarchy during recent evaluations. Merchant said, “I think right now I’d only definitively put Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Mitchell ahead of her just because her size gives her so much advantages over a player like Kelsey Plum.” Merchant said something about Paige Bueckers being one of the best guards. This ranking was based on Mitchell’s great play during the 2025 WNBA season, when she averaged 20.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. This made her one of the league’s most reliable scorers and a steady force for the Indiana Fever.

Mitchell’s rise in the conversation is directly related to how well she did during a difficult season. The Fever had a lot of injuries that ended their season, like Caitlin Clark’s left quad strain and groin problems that kept her from playing more than 13 games, where she averaged 16.5 points and 8.8 assists per game. Mitchell was in charge. She was a veteran leader who kept the roster stable and showed that she could help her teammates when things got tough. This experience made her a defensive threat to players.

Merchant put Bueckers in the context of this competitive landscape by talking about what she saw in multi-player formats. Merchant said, “One thing I will point out about Paige Bueckers when she was at Team USA camp with Kelsey Plum, Caitlin Clark, Jackie Young, the very best of the best, Chelsea Gray, she looked as good as anybody,” Bueckers has since officially moved up to the senior national team for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

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As Clark gets healthier, Mitchell’s path grows more and more important for the Fever’s future. She is a key player for Indiana going forward because she is consistent and has shown that she can compete with the best. This is especially important as the WNBA moves forward to negotiate collective bargaining agreements that could change the league’s structure.

Kelsey Mitchell and the Indiana Fever face a crucial decision about the future

This is the real story about whether Kelsey Mitchell will stay with Indiana or look for new opportunities somewhere else. The WNBA is working on a new deal right now. Once that’s done, free agency will start. Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire are two brand-new teams that are ready to spend a lot of money and hire the best players. Mitchell might have choices, but one thing is clear. The Fever really wants her back.

When injuries hit the Fever hard in 2025, Mitchell stepped up and became their rock. She plays for Hive BC at Unrivaled with stars like Sonia Citron, Ezi Magbegor, and Azura Stevens, and she keeps showing why she’s one of the best leaders in the league.

The Indiana Fever will be keen to sign her again. She just had her best season in eight years with the franchise, scoring 20.2 points per game, shooting 39.4% from three, and being named to the All-WNBA First Team and MVP.