After forming one of the greatest WNBA backcourts in recent memory, the iconic partnership between Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell might be coming to an end after Mitchell stated in her exit interview that she needs to be “selfish” with her career as she enters her 30s. Meanwhile, in Clark’s exit interview, she had a completely different outlook, leading fans on social media to believe the two guards are on opposite sides of the spectrum.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Clark, who is eligible for the WNBA’s EPIC (Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract) deal, said she wants to be with the Fever, while also stating that “sometimes you have to make sacrifices.” While this is a stark contrast to what Mitchell said about her future, former college basketball player and WNBA analyst Rachel DeMita believes it is unfair to compare the two.
“I don’t actually think that’s fair to compare these two cuz people are saying like, ‘Oh, look, one’s saying they need to be selfish, one’s saying they need to sacrifice.’ They’re clearly not on the same page.’ Kelsey is in a completely different place with her career, and Caitlin is in a completely different place.” DeMita said on the latest episode of the Courtside Club on YouTube.
Mitchell and Clark are indeed at very different points in their careers. Mitchell is a nine-year veteran in her 30s and heading toward unrestricted free agency in 2027. Clark, meanwhile, is still early in her rookie contract and has her prime years ahead of her. That contrast helps explain Rachel DeMita’s observation.
“Kelsey has been in the league much longer… before they were actually making real money. And so I’m sure for Kelsey it feels like I don’t even know how many years I have left in this league. She’s 30, in basketball years; it’s starting to get up there. Maybe Kelsey does have another 10 years in the league. Maybe she has another 5 years in the league. She’s probably thinking, ‘I need to make the money that I can before my career ends.'”
DeMita makes a fair point, because while Caitlin Clark has already achieved a lot in the WNBA, she has only played three seasons. Moreover, the Fever star was the sixth-highest-paid female athlete last year, according to Sportico, with $114,000 in salary and a mammoth $16 million coming just from endorsements.
Clark was the only basketball/team sport player on a list dominated by single-sport athletes. With Clark playing a full and successful individual season, along with the fact that her signature shoes, the Nike Caitlin 1, were released this year, the 24-year-old’s ranking is only about to soar higher.
So yes, through her multiple endorsements and brand deals, Caitlin Clark will be more than happy to sacrifice her EPIC deal for the greater good of the Fever, which will in turn help the franchise address important issues on head coach Stephanie White’s side. Defense, for example, should be the top priority for next season, as the Fever finished with a defensive rating of 109.0, one of the worst in the league.
But as DeMita said, Kelsey Mitchell has been in the league since 2018, and this season was the first time her contract went into seven figures, thanks to the latest collective bargaining agreement. Mitchell was the first Indiana Fever player in history to sign a $1.4 million supermax contract.
This is perhaps why Mitchell said she wants to be “selfish” at this point in her career, especially after producing her greatest individual season at the Fever. Mitchell finished third in the league MVP voting, just behind A’ja Wilson and Olivia Miles, after averaging 24.7 points per game in the regular season. The 30-year-old now has all the leverage to command an even greater contract with the Fever, or whoever else she chooses as an unrestricted free agent.
For Clark, though, the 24-year-old would want nothing more than to continue her partnership with Mitchell. After all, their accolades include most points averaged by a duo in WNBA history (47 combined).
“She knows how much I love her. There’s nobody I would wanna share the backcourt with other than her. I hope for the rest of my career I get to play alongside her. That’s how easy she makes my job,” Clark said.
Even Indiana Fever General Manager Amber Cox and head coach Stephanie White have said that they would love to keep the Fever Big Three intact for the next season and beyond. But only time will tell if that would be the case, as Kelsey Mitchell faces unrestricted free agency this offseason.