The Indiana Fever could face a shake-up soon, and Sophie Cunningham is one of the players who may be on the move. The talks grew louder when @nosyone4 posted,
“this is who espn projects the fever to protect in the expansion draft. apparently teams only protect 5 players this time,” alongside a screenshot listing who might stay and who might be exposed.
According to the projection, Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Kristy Wallace, Kelsey Mitchell, and rookie Nika Mühl Timpson are the expected protected players. That leaves names like Sophie Cunningham among the unprotected group.
Sophie Cunningham came to the Fever as a proven vet who could stretch the floor and bring steadiness to a young roster. Being left unprotected does not guarantee she will be selected, but it signals that Indiana may prioritize long-term pieces over short-term contributors.
But the bigger conversation is how the Fever will balance their roster around Clark and Boston. Protecting only five players forces teams to reveal what structure they believe can grow fastest. Whether Sophie Cunningham remains with Indiana or becomes a building block elsewhere, her situation shows how quickly things change once expansion comes into play.
Sophie Cunningham’s Future Uncertain As Analysts Break Down Fever’s Expansion Options
The discussion around Sophie Cunningham continued as analysts explained why Indiana’s protection list looks the way it does. Kevin Pelton broke it down clearly, writing,
“They can protect all three players on rookie contracts plus Mitchell and restricted free agent Hull. Unless an expansion team sees Cunningham as a core candidate, that would leave them choosing between a pair of unprotected Aussies, Bibby and Wallace.”
This note highlights the biggest challenge for the Fever: protecting players with long-term value while risking the loss of capable vets like Sophie Cunningham. With rookie contracts carrying strong value and flexibility, teams naturally lean toward keeping them secure.
For fans watching the roster grow around Clark and Boston, losing Cunningham would feel like losing a bridge piece. She brings shooting, toughness, and experience that young teams often rely on. At the same time, the Fever are clearly planning with an eye on the future. The expansion draft forces direct choices, and Sophie Cunningham falls right in the middle of those decisions.
Pelton’s point about expansion teams needing a “core candidate” matters too. If a new franchise does not see Cunningham as someone to build around, they may target younger players with more years of team control. That leaves the door open for her to stay in Indiana even if she remains unprotected.
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Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
