Negotiations over the new Collective Bargaining Agreement are currently stalled between the players and the WNBA, with talks set to resume on January 9.
In the meantime, teams continue to face challenges as they attempt to build their rosters for the 2026 season. Adding to the complexity, two new expansion franchises, the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire, will join the league and require an expansion draft to assemble their lineups.
It is worth remembering that last year, in December, the Golden State Valkyries held their expansion draft around this same time. That process did not take place for the two new franchises, a delay that has significantly complicated their ability to secure players and properly structure their rosters ahead of their inaugural season.
Last year, the league’s thirteen teams were allowed to protect six of their key players so they could not be selected by the Valkyries. This time, however, teams will only be able to safeguard five players. That adjustment gives the new franchises more opportunities and flexibility as they look to construct competitive teams from the outset.
A concerning issue for the Indiana Fever: the expansion draft
The Indiana Fever will be one of the teams directly affected by the expansion draft, largely because of the difficult decisions they must make regarding which players to protect. At this point, four players are clearly considered untouchable.
Those players are the franchise star Caitlin Clark, along with Lexie Hull, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell. With those four spots essentially locked in, the expectation is that the fifth protected player will come down to a choice between Sophie Cunningham and Makayla Timpson. All indications suggest the organization may favor the younger player over the veteran.
Sophie Cunningham is likely left unprotected by the Fever
According to ESPN reporter Kevin Pelton, the franchise appears to be leaning toward protecting Makayla Timpson rather than Sophie Cunningham.
Pelton is not alone in that assessment. Bleacher Report’s Jordan Robinson echoed the same sentiment on Thursday, December 18, reinforcing the growing belief around the league regarding how the Fever may approach this decision.
For the Fever, on who they’re going to protect, they could protect Sophie. They could. But if they don’t, I definitely think she gets snatched up.
Robinson also stated that the 28-year-old player would likely end up with the Portland Fire.
Cunningham’s situation is particularly unique. As a free agent, she could be selected by either expansion team and later move elsewhere, even potentially returning to the Fever under the right circumstances.
That scenario would only be possible if the WNBA does not require her to remain with the expansion team that selects her. If such a rule were enforced, it would effectively lock her into that city and require her to play for that franchise.
Time is becoming a crucial factor for both the player and the new teams. Knowing whether Cunningham will be available is essential, because if she is, she would be an attractive option for any roster.
For now, uncertainty defines the situation for both Cunningham and the Fever. If both sides hope to reach a favorable resolution, there is little that can be done until January reveals what the future holds for them.
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