Indiana Fever May Face Tough Roster Decisions After Aari McDonald Shines in Debut

Aari McDonald's standout performance on a hardship contract injected some much needed energy into the Indiana Fever's offense. But with Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham set to return soon, the Fever may face a tough roster decision on who stays.

Jun 3, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Aari McDonald (2) takes the ball to the basket during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smth- INDIANAPOLIS STAR-Imagn Images | Grace Smith-INDIANAPOLIS STAR-Imagn Images

The Indiana Fever had a bounce back game Tuesday night, snapping a three game losing streak to the Washington Mystics 85-76.

Much of the struggles the Fever were facing took place in the backcourt after star guard Caitlin Clark went out with a left quad strain. The deficiencies in the roster construction were highlighted even further when Indiana’s backup guards––Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham––exited Friday’s game against the Connecticut Sun injured.

Appears Sophie Cunningham injured her ankle again. Costly game against the Sun. Down Colson and Cunningham. #WNBA #FeverRising pic.twitter.com/UcZ2XQiX3H

— Cro (@The_Cro_Show) May 31, 2025

The gaping holes in the backcourt needed swift action, leading the Fever to sign former Los Angeles Sparks point guard Aari McDonald to an emergency hardship contract.  And though McDonald had just one day to practice with the team, she fit in like a glove––elevating the offense and setting the pace, generating open looks for her teammates, and defensively––in just one game––sliding into the top ten players in the WNBA for offensive fouls drawn in the season thus far.

Aari McDonald is now top 10 this season in offensive fouls drawn.

She’s played ONE game. pic.twitter.com/0QF7fPRPhp

— FeverStats (@FeverStats) June 4, 2025

McDonald’s temporary signing appeared to fill a gap the Fever had been trying to address since before the season even began—a reliable backup point guard capable of running the offense when Clark is off the floor or attempting to play off ball.

But this puts Indiana in a tough spot. Once Cunningham or Clark returns–– and being the Fever have just $43k in cap space left for the season according to HerHoopStats––they will be forced to release McDonald––who is currently signed to a $51k salary––or waive a player on an unprotected contract if they hope to re-sign and keep her due to the tight salary constraints imposed by the WNBA’s cap space limitations.

You have to release the hardship player when enough regular roster players get healthy and team no longer qualifies for the hardship. Would then have to cut Colson (or whomever) and re-sign McDonald to a regular contract if they decided they want her instead.

— Richard Cohen (@RichardCohen1) June 2, 2025

Of the current unprotected  players on Indiana’s roster, the most likely to be considered to get cut are Brianna Turner––whose salary is $85k––or Sydney Colson, who is on a $90k unprotected contract. Of the two, Turner has shown the least statistical impact on the team, thus has been relegated to seeing few minutes on the court. Not to mention both she and rookie Makayla Timpson play the same position, with neither having seen much action.

I would be really disappointed if they don’t cut Bri, and then sign Aari. To me the sooner the better because that will leave more dollars to get the 12th player when the time comes. If she gets signed to a vet minimum we will have a decent amount of cash and could probably pick…

— Ken Swift (@kenswift) June 4, 2025

It’s a position no team's coaching staff or front office wants to be in, but in thinking about the Fever’s future success, one that must be considered. That is unless the franchise simply plans to bide time until it can afford to bring in a 12th player on a pro-rated deal later in the season.

McDonald knocked it out of the park when she stepped in to pinch hit at the point, and that did not go unnoticed by her teammates and Fever fans alike. With few roster spots and tight salary constraints in the WNBA, the competition is fierce, but McDonald has made a compelling case. Now all eyes are on Indiana’s front office for their next potential move.