There has been a great deal of talk about Kelsey Mitchell’s future with the Indiana Fever. The two-time All-Star is a free agent, and it is not known if Indiana’s new front office will offer her a new contract or offer good enough terms to persuade her to re-sign with them.
Mitchell is not the only team star who could be on her way out, though. NaLyssa Smith might also be on the move. After Indiana’s playoff exit against the Connecticut Sun, the 6-foot-4 forward removed the Fever from her social media bio and posted a lengthy end-of-season message that more than a few fans interpreted as a farewell statement.
On Sunday, the Fever posted a video of Smith reflecting on her 2024 season. Fans, however, shared similar reactions to her comments, which as of writing, have amassed 325,000 views in less than 12 hours on X (formerly Twitter).
Fever fans did not hold back on their opinion on Smith, and how they believe it’s only a matter of time before the 24-year-old is traded.
“Time to trade Smith to the Sun,” declared a Fever supporter.
“Good luck elsewhere,” said another.
“Not on this team, she don’t 💀” an Indiana fan stated.
“Unfortunately it will be with another team,” another comment read.
“Trade her,” demanded another.
“I spent the entire season defending her, blocking people over her. I was wrong. Good player but not for this style of play. And her girl causes big problems for her job at this team. I would never do this at my husband’s place of employment,” reacted a fan.
For context, that last tweet was in reference to Smith’s partner, DiJonai Carrington, who plays for Connecticut. The Sun eliminated the Fever in the first round of this year’s playoffs, and Carrington drew the ire of Fever fans after inadvertently poking Caitlin Clark in the eye in Game 1.
At this point, it is clear some Indiana fans have turned their back on Smith. Whether this becomes a factor in her future with the Fever, however, remains to be seen.
Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith (1)
Smith, who averaged 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1 blocks per game in 2024 as a starter, has one more season left on her deal before becoming a free agent a year from now.
