Seventeen months of negotiations led to a CBA that changed everything. Bigger salaries. A higher cap. And most importantly, the EPIC provision, which gave fourth-year stars a chance to become millionaires provided they made an All-WNBA team. Aliyah Boston was one of the first to benefit from it. But instead of cashing in fully, she chose to put the team first.

Speaking on Fever Insider, the franchise’s General Manager, Amber Cox, recently clarified that Aliyah Boston did in fact take a pay cut to help the team out.

“Aliyah is such a team player,” she said. “Obviously wants to win above all. Her winning pedigree and her competitiveness are what make her elite. So this was part of the conversation as we were going through free agency, as we were talking about players that we were potentially able to sign. And we’re just really grateful that Aliyah worked with us on this and really allowed us to create some depth at every position because she was willing to shave off a few dollars this year.”

Aliyah Boston had every reason to cash in. She was eligible to earn around $1.19 million for the 2026 season. Instead, she chose a flat $1 million to create crucial cap flexibility for Indiana. It was a team-first move, but one that still led to a historic payday. Her four-year, $6.3 million deal now stands as the largest in the WNBA, a significant rise from her previous $574,612 salary. From 2027 onward, she’ll command 20% of the team’s cap, underlining her status as one of the franchise’s core pieces.

But hey, even after becoming one of the league’s top earners, those few dollars she shaved off her contract could go a long way in helping the Fever prioritize team building. That should tell you who she is as a player and a leader.

With an extra $190,000 saved from Boston’s contract and $7 million in cap space to work with, the Fever had the flexibility to reshape their roster….and they wasted no time doing it. Here are their key free agency moves.

• Kelsey Mitchell: One year, $1.4 million
• Monique Billings: Two years, $800,000 per year
• Lexie Hull: Two years, $765,000/$803,250
• Sophie Cunningham: One year, $665,000
• Monique Billings: Two years, $800,000 per
• Myisha Hines-Allen : One year/unspecified amount

With the Fever investing heavily in bringing back their core from last season while also adding key frontcourt pieces like Billings, it will be interesting to see how this team fares when the season tips off. But looking at the salary numbers alone, there’s little room to argue that Boston didn’t deserve this deal.

Since entering the league in 2023, Aliyah Boston has been an integral part of the Indiana Fever, especially when she went on to capture Rookie of the Year honors. Her pick-and-roll style with Caitlin Clark (who joined the league in 2024) helped the Fever return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

But her most crucial role so far came in 2025.

With Clark sidelined due to a groin injury and multiple teammates battling serious setbacks, Boston became the stabilizing force for a team that wasn’t expected to last.

Boston averaged 15.0 points on 53.8% shooting, along with 8.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game as she took the Fever to the semifinals, where they ultimately lost to the Las Vegas Aces in Game 5 of the series. That series, in particular, showed just how good she really is. In Game 1, Boston put on a defensive clinic against A’ja Wilson, forcing 14 missed shots around the basket, including four from inside the restricted area.

Over 35 possessions as the primary defender, Boston held Wilson to just 16.7% effective field goal percentage. In Game 4, she followed it up with 24 points and 14 rebounds, forcing a Game 5. So there is no doubt that she is the backbone of this franchise, yet her focus has never been on personal gain.

“I’m super blessed and grateful for this opportunity and to continue my journey here with the Fever. God is good!” Boston said. “I’m excited for the future ahead for both myself and our team, and I can’t wait to keep building upon everything we have accomplished so far.”

So while the future looks bright in Indiana, fans might have to wait a little longer to see their star on the court.

Amber Cox offers an update on Aliyah Boston’s injury

For all the excitement to see the Indiana Fever fully healthy in the upcoming season, one lingering concern has been Boston’s health.

During her stint with Phantom BC in Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 league that takes place in the offseason, Boston suffered what was described as a right lower extremity injury. And it was enough to sideline her from the Unrivaled playoffs, while forcing her out of Team USA duties for the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers as well.

However, the good news is that we finally have some clarity.

“Aliyah’s doing great. Ready to go,” Amber Cox revealed following the 2026 WNBA Draft.

It’s a strong vote of confidence from the front office, especially considering how big a role Aliyah Boston plays in this team’s setup. She had already been spotted doing on-court work with the Fever in late March, which hinted that her recovery was on track. So Cox’s latest update only adds to that optimism.

That being said, there’s still a bit of wait-and-watch involved.

The Fever’s star forward is currently listed as TBD as Indiana prepares to take on the Dallas Wings on May 9 in the regular season. So while all signs are pointing in the right direction, her official return status is yet to be locked in.

But before the game against Dallas, the Fever will also get a chance to ease into the new season with preseason matchups against the New York Liberty. And if Boston is cleared in time, those games could offer the first real look at a fully healthy Indiana squad heading into 2026.