The careers of professional athletes are always filled with unexpected turns, and for Sophie Cunningham, the talented Indiana Fever guard, the upcoming 2026 season promises to be one of the most pivotal chapters yet. After a season marked by a tough injury but brimming with emotion, Cunningham has publicly stated her desire to continue her journey with the Fever. However, the path back to Indiana is not entirely clear, as she faces significant challenges from free agency and, most notably, the looming WNBA expansion draft.

A Desire to Stay and a Resilient Spirit

On October 1, 2025, following the Fever’s 108-97 season-ending loss in the WNBA semifinals, Sophie Cunningham shared a heartfelt post on social media. Despite being sidelined since August 17 with a torn MCL, she demonstrated immense team spirit by posting a photo of the team and highlighting their resilience through a season plagued by injuries. “Can’t make this season up. So much to be proud of. You better believe we are coming for everything next season,” Cunningham wrote on X. This message not only showcased her love for her teammates but also strongly hinted at her desire to continue building with the Fever.

Throughout the past season, Cunningham, who was traded to the Fever from the Phoenix Mercury in a major four-team deal, consistently expressed her happiness and sense of belonging in Indiana. She quickly became an integral part of the team’s chemistry and on-court strategy. Her connection with the franchise has strengthened the belief among fans and management that she wants to be a part of the Fever’s bright future, especially alongside rising stars like Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston.

The Complications of Free Agency and the Expansion Draft

While her intentions are clear, the reality of the situation is far more complex. Sophie Cunningham is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. This status gives her the freedom to negotiate and sign with any team in the league, offering her leverage to re-sign with Indiana if both parties can agree on terms.

However, a significant variable looms over her future: the dual expansion draft for the new Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo franchises. The WNBA has yet to announce the specific rules for this draft, but the potential regulations could directly impact the Fever’s ability to retain Cunningham.

Based on the precedent set by the 2024 expansion draft for the Golden State Valkyries, Cunningham could be eligible for selection by one of the two new teams. In the 2024 draft, expansion teams were permitted to select one unrestricted free agent who still had “core” eligibility, granting the new team exclusive negotiating rights in exchange for a supermax salary. The Valkyries used this provision to select Monique Billings from the Phoenix Mercury.

What Are the Scenarios for the Indiana Fever?

The Indiana Fever front office is facing a series of difficult decisions as they look to construct their 2026 roster. Currently, only three players are under contract for that season: Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Michaela Timson. The team also has the option to “core” Kelsey Mitchell again, holds restricted free agent rights to Lexie Hull, and has Kloé Bby as a reserved player.

If the upcoming expansion draft rules mirror those of 2024, existing teams will be allowed to protect six players. This will be the critical factor for the Fever. If Sophie Cunningham is placed on the protected list, her chances of remaining in Indiana increase dramatically. Teams are also permitted to protect their own outgoing unrestricted free agents, provided they were on the roster on the final day of the regular season.

With the WNBA yet to release the official terms, everything remains speculative. Will the rules for a dual-team expansion draft differ from the single-team draft of 2024? Any changes could force the Fever into making some very tough strategic choices about who to protect.

Conclusion

Sophie Cunningham’s future with the Indiana Fever is delicately balanced. Her desire to stay is evident, and the Fever would undoubtedly benefit from retaining a player with her experience and passionate spirit. However, the complexities of unrestricted free agency, combined with the uncertain rules of the WNBA expansion draft, have created a high-stakes scenario. Fans of the Indiana Fever will be anxiously awaiting official announcements from the league and the team’s front office to learn whether Sophie Cunningham will continue to shine in a Fever uniform for the 2026 season. Whatever the outcome, her journey in the coming months will be one of the most compelling storylines across the WNBA.