The WNBA is on the brink of a seismic shift, and Sophie Cunningham’s future with the Indiana Fever hangs in the balance. But here’s where it gets controversial: as the league prepares to welcome the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire in 2026, the looming expansion drafts are forcing teams to make tough decisions—decisions that could leave even a player of Cunningham’s caliber vulnerable. And this is the part most people miss: the delay in finalizing a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is already putting the league behind schedule, with the Golden State Valkyries having already completed their expansion draft in December 2024. Once a CBA is in place, determining the rules and timeline for these drafts will become an urgent priority.
Here’s the twist: unlike last year, when existing teams protected six players during the Valkyries’ draft, this time they may only safeguard five. This change aims to give the Tempo and Fire more talent to choose from, but it creates a unique dilemma for the Fever. With four obvious protections—Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and Lexie Hull—the fifth spot is up for grabs. Natasha Howard, ineligible due to her core designation status, leaves the decision between Sophie Cunningham and Makayla Timpson. But here’s the bold question: is Cunningham’s star power enough to secure her spot, or will the Fever prioritize Timpson’s perceived long-term potential?
ESPN’s Kevin Pelton and Bleacher Report’s Jordan Robinson both predict Timpson will get the nod, despite Cunningham’s higher profile. Robinson even suggests Cunningham could be a prime target for the Portland Fire if left unprotected. But here’s where it gets even more complicated: as an unrestricted free agent, Cunningham could theoretically be drafted by an expansion team only to leave in free agency shortly after. However, this isn’t unique to her—nearly every WNBA veteran is in the same boat. So, would expansion teams hesitate to draft her, or would they simply take the best talent available and deal with free agency later?
This uncertainty underscores the precarious nature of Cunningham’s future with the Fever, even if both sides want her to return. And this is the part that sparks debate: does the WNBA need clearer rules around free agents in expansion drafts to avoid such predicaments? Or is this just the nature of the game in a rapidly evolving league? Let’s discuss—what do you think?
