Sophie Cunningham in, NaLyssa Smith Out for Fever as Satou Sabally Heads to Mercury!

Robin reacts to a massive trade involving the Phoenix Mercury, Indiana Fever, and Dallas Wings.
For more coverage check out Women's Fastbreak On SI!
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[@noimillabe5299]

I love this new Indiana Fever management team. They make pleasant surprises for all of the fans. They've pushed all the right buttons, so far. What a great day to be an Indiana Fever fan ! ! !

[@Locutus.Borg.]

Aren't they the best? I'm sure Amber Cox has been a great acquisition, but Fever president Kelly Krauskopf has been *phenomenal* and the architect of change behind the Fever. She hasn't put a foot wrong. She moved Lin Dunn into a consultant position and signed Amber Cox as GM and COO. Then she signed Stephanie White as head coach. Between Stephanie White and Kelly Krauskopf, they have brought Keith Porter onboard as player development coach, and he has been amazing so far. Then Kelly re-signs Kelsey Mitchell as promised, listens to the fans and gets rid of NaLyssa Smith and signs two veterans as promised, Natasha Howard and Sophie Cunningham. Next I think there will be a signing from overseas.

[@noimillabe5299]

@Locutus.Borg. You got all the details - major and minor - right. You're a true-blue disciple of the Fever. I'm sure more surprises are still in the pipeline, what with Kelly's trip recent trip to France.

[@Locutus.Borg.]

@@noimillabe5299 I'm not sure if I should accept the honour of 'true-blue Fever' fan, as I am Australian and new to the WNBA and basketball in general. I discovered Caitlin Clark's NCAA career highlights around the Olympic break in 2024 and then got immersed in the controversy about CC getting overlooked for the Olympics to allow a lame Diana Taurasi to go in her place. The more I saw legacy WNBA fans, WNBA players and the legacy sports media disrespecting CC and undermining her achievements, the more I got sucked in to watching the Fever. Before I realised it, I was watching all the Fever games, and I was a passionate Fever fan. My respect goes to long-term diehard Fever fans.

[@BrianDavey-q3g]

Really, how unless they get a stretch 4 from Europe!

[@Smido83]

All we now need is a bigger (6'3-6'4) defense 1st Forward and the team is set. The Fever should have a bit money left if I am not mistaken. Or maybe they will use their 2 draft picks to take a shot at 2 players with that skillset. But I have no idea who will be around at that position.

[@cairnterriermom8546]

Last year SC said she’d love to play with CC. Well welcome to the Fever Sophie. The best is yet to come. 🏅

[@Deato9000]

This next season is gonna be a wild ride. So excited to see how high the Fever can climb

[@rogerlafontaine6787]

I love it. This is more than I had hoped for already and it's not over with yet. I liked our chances with just the coaching staff upgrade but this is awesome.

[@clarkd1955]

The Fever fans will adore Cunningham. She has passion and grit. She puts it all on the floor and that drive is one of Caitlin’s most endearing attributes. Howard will be a fabulous addition as well.

[@Locutus.Borg.]

I already adored Sophie Cunningham at the Mercury. 😍 Her respect and admiration for Caitlin Clark was clear for all to see. She literally fangirled Caitlin on the sidelines during the All-Star game. She will 100% have Caitlin's back and will become part of the Fever's _'Three Caitlinteers'_ when she hangs with Caitlin and Lexie off the court and becomes part of their drive-thrus at 'Swig' with their 'Golden Tumblers'.

[@jasonhealy-n1e]

Speechless. No words....Nope. Nothing. Can't think. Grinning too much, face hurts!

[@ColleenYourAccess2me]

New fantastic coach, president, general manager, plus, love Sophie Cunningham and Natasha Howard joining the team... cannot wait for May 4th!

[@DorthedaHeuer]

Yeah for Kelley Mitchell our Lady has returned! ❤🙏👍😊

[@russschick9128]

best thing about all this is the discussion revolves around basketball

[@jodale1972]

Sophie is a great addition to what the Fever are doing and their philosophy. Their defense has drastically improved over the last 2 days. And maybe the best part is Howard and Cunningham's toughness that will influence the rest of the team. My only hesitation is I think them giving up the 8th pick was a bit much but like you said, I think this is the clearest indication we have gotten that they are all-in this year and want the chip, this year.

[@Mellowyellow3]

In addition culturally she fits the fever team I believe she will fit in I hope we got lotta new players it's gonna be an adjustment for everybody

[@Mellowyellow3]

This is gonna be an adjustment for all the players a lot of new personalities but I think they all fit in pretty well let's hope so I don't want any drama with a fever

[@yankee_tango]

They had to give up that pick for anyone to take Smith, as well all know she has serious issues when it comes to loyalty to her teammates.

[@mercurialblonde]

I often said we needed 2 Lexie Hulls. Now we do. Great pickup.

[@smoothblink]

Yep 💯

[@buzzard6410]

In the next couple of years, more and more sponsors are going to looking to CC's teammates as spokes-persons. The Fever are going to be endorsement land.

[@jimshelton115]

Fever now have the prettiest team in the WNBA 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@blackcrowvol2281]

🤣😛👍

[@twig4590]

We already winning boys 🔥🔥🔥

[@shafedpoozay6709]

Exactly😂😂😂

[@80sruler]

Need to add Nika Muhl to backup point and we’ll have the all pre-game outfit team

[@gahennasonneillon8566]

Nika mhul is hot, brigette carleton too..

[@christinel.9742]

Love every move so far. Couldn’t be more excited for the upcoming season.

[@dixieforbes-gorby896]

I wish it was May.. I really like your podcast, sir. Thank you.

[@TW1-oq6ph]

In Kelly we trust! 😉

[@HAWK11828]

Sophie Cunningham is costing the FEVER about hundred thousand dollars, leaving money left for another pick.

[@BryanDuncan-g6b]

Exactly Hawk. I don’t think the Fever are done yet. They have a near max contract slot left

[@kaydeezmolik7524]

Yep. Nobody is talking about out this. Fever are playing chess. They can definitely do more.

[@BretAtwood]

Shell get PAID if she works for the pacers like she does for the sun as well.

[@usveteran9893]

We may see a player from overseas.

[@seeweda]

Nalyssa Smith was owed 95k this year, her and Sophie are a wash in cap space basically. The Fever have about 175k left and 3 draft picks they either need to trade or sign each is about 70k each. They currently have 1 available roster spot.

[@jon-jl7fl]

Welcome to the Fever Nat Howard and Sophie Cunningham, Get ready for a CHIP.

[@Crankdat22]

FEVERS ROSTER IS LOOKING MORE AND MORE BETTER!!!! 🔥🔥

[@artistamisto]

So when I saw the trade headline on yahoo with Sabaly going to the Mercury I then noticed the bottom of the title said Fever were also involved. I immediately started thinking about Sophie and when I opened the story and read more, sure enough! I was elated and kept cheering "We got Sophie!! We got Sophie!!" I love her game she was my favorite player on Phoenix. The Fever just got more beautiful!

[@blackcrowvol2281]

Like the Howard/Cunningham signing. Great that they gave Smith the boot. 🤣🤣🤣

[@MarkRichter-j2l]

I wanted Sophie on the fever for 6 months....IM SUPER EXCITED

[@mikehall4517]

Thanks for your knowledge and your opinion about giving up the #8 pick. I've been seeing some grumbling and outtight anger about that, but I don't know enough to say that they're right or wrong. But I DO think that you know better than most, just like I believe that Kelly, Amber, and Coach White have better information and ideas of what they think that the Fever need, so I'm satisfied that things are going well for the Fever.

[@TaiyouArt]

#8 is not great in the WNBA

[@vernieistooold]

Agree with Robin, the Mercury did a good job of rebuilding on the fly. Two very solid additions by the Fever… Natasha and Sophie. Sucks to give up the #8 pick but they had to move N. Smith.

[@RunItUp478]

Love the moves the Fever are making. Ppl are now saying get Dewanna Bonner but I completely disagree! We don’t need another Nalyssa Smith situation. It would ruin everything

[@nancy9891]

I feel better for Smith because she was not happy with Sides. I hope she does well in Dallas.

[@5thgen916]

She has a chance for a good season going into her last contract year. Hopefully the team has a lot of cap space if she does! Her hugging Clark's parents before a game tells me she wasn't remotely a locker room issue.

[@davidlinstrand5913]

GOOD RIDDANCE.

[@Locutus.Borg.]

I totally agree. Cunningham and Howard are a better fit and more impactful for the Fever than just Satou Sabally, and there is no injury cloud hanging over either player. Also, Kelly Krauskopf didn't just get back from Paris from a holiday. She said the Fever were going to sign some veterans and also look overseas. If Kelly went overseas, she signed somebody. My hope is that it will be Janelle Salaün. If not Salaün, then Gabby Williams or Emma Meesseman. Stay tuned. I think there is another big signing to come.

[@TaiyouArt]

I’ll take Howards defense over Sabally all day

[@PutzNJam]

I can't stop smiling!!!

[@iarmenta1]

That slogan will make a great tee shirt

[@malissaLortz]

Fever gonna be fire!!! Love Sophie and Natasha!

[@jmsmikey]

Christie Sides and NaLyssa Smith both gone~ how good can life get!

[@MrsBStacyBattleBorn]

Every player has an off game here and there. But Smith seemed to have selective off games that appeared to be guaranteed when playing a certain team after the Olympic break. Fans put the strange performace pattern together when she posted that video of her hanging out with her girlfriend and they were discussing a certain thing that happened during a game between their teams. That set off alarms for many people but them her negative comments about playing time and the skit about the injury to CC's eye was the final nail in the coffin of her career at Indiana... I think. Her performance will suffer if she isn't playing for the same team as her girlfriend.

[@def1ghi]

The Fever needed an enforcer: someone to stand up for C22 if anyone puts another dirty foul on her. That HAD to be a vet. No one will fear a rookie. This was an expensive trade but necessary.

[@ChrisSavenSH]

They're not a turn the other cheek team anymore 👍

[@jjleeisme]

What I see is a team that is going to run and run and run. Swapping out players to rest them is going to be easy when they can put another running player in there. Maybe we should change the name to the Indiana Roadrunners - Beep Beep. The downside to this is it looks like Lexi could get squeezed out next year with the expansion draft coming up. I really love Lexi. She works hard, she plays hard, she's got a great smile and personality, and yes, she's sexy Lexi.

[@deannekiesser8542]

Nice to see the Fever deeping their bench, giving backups to their top players.

[@AbzScotland]

I've wanted Sophie to join the Fever since her interaction with CC at the WNBA All-Star game. LOL. Coincidence that Cloud was sent packing?

[@Mellowyellow3]

A lot of new personalities it's gonna be an adjustment but I think they all fit in well I do not want any drama with the favorite team

[@TemT8]

The Fever have upgraded for sure. Its going to make for an interesting upcoming season. With teams like the Liberty, Lynx, Mercury, and Aces it's going to be a tough fight for the top teams in the league. If the Fever break into the top five, I would be impressed. Gonna be a fun season to watch!

[@TaiyouArt]

They’ve added more coaching which is huge , more experience and defense with Howard, and shooting and depth with Cunningham …

[@ddas0617]

YES! Sophie Cunningham is a tough player!

[@topgun298]

Robin, I love you. Nalyssa Smith is gone OMG. Great to see Cunningham land in Indiana. Remember the friendship at all-star game :).

[@JollyOng2]

Yess Sophie Cunningham!!!!

[@kevinsage245]

SwOopes mole in the Fever locker room has left the building...😮

[@usveteran9893]

I hope somebody makes an updated draft prediction soon, as all these trades have affected it.

[@ron56pvi13]

Man, did the Fever make a great deal or what? I would have taken two goats and a pig for Smith.

[@BryanDuncan-g6b]

It looks like the Fever is going to run relentlessly this season. They added speed to an already fast paced team

[@jodale1972]

That is a huge point that not many are talking about. Howard still runs the floor really well and is tough and can still play defense. Cunningham has that dawg mentality of just going all out all the time and is also tough. I think their plan is to literally run the opposing teams out of the gym all while improving their defense overall. I just hate that they had to give up the 8th pick as well but maybe that alone is worth the improved locker room and atmosphere.

[@usveteran9893]

I love a running game!

[@TyLeeper-r1e]

But where's the defense? Easy to slow down Indiana with a half court game

[@TaiyouArt]

@@TyLeeper-r1e huh? Howard is a DPOY, CUNNINGHAM and Hull are both stoppers and Steph White is a top defensive coach

[@DorthedaHeuer]

Yeah A. Smith is gone! Yeah!!

[@sunburstsounds]

Foregone conclusion the 8 pick was needed to move NS. Probably did as well as possible in current environment. Sophie is a good add to lose NS

[@laurabocek]

Sophie!! Great acquisition! Both her and Howard are perfect fit players for the necessary style of play. Cunningham gets in teams’ heads, I’d so much rather have her on our team than ever playing against her 😅

[@RamblingRob-vi7ct]

And Cunningham not afraid to throw down when needed either

[@ToddDietrich-i4s]

Amber Cox came in last October and became the new general manager and COO of basketball operations. She has NBA finals experience and has had success wherever she goes. Her fingerprints are all over this team. The Fever are going to set records next season.😊😊

[@gen-xboomer]

Sorry for getting to you 4th Robin, but this is the best news ever.

[@cutpurseboy8066]

I've liked what I saw from Sophie last season, and this Fever team is shaping up nicely. I'm still curious on the fate of Berger and Katie Lou.

[@1971stevan]

Katie Lou was coming off a pregnancy last year...if she has worked hard she might be surprisingly good.

[@OKCowgirl]

KLS playing unrivaled and definitely in good shape now. I haven’t watched much but what I did see she was doing way better, moving good and hitting middies and threes.

[@cured808]

It's feeling a lot like Christmas...

[@lori9154]

Let's Go!!!

[@jonathonpalbicke6122]

Giving up NS AND the pick was THE cap space move, remember me Robin, but I will be back. ☑️👌😎 JP

[@heavyhitter5538]

Its inevitable😂😂😂blame your eye poking partner Clawrington😂😂

[@philipmtran05]

90K from Nalyssa Smith for Sophie at 100K.. trade away #8 pick to get #19 pick.. That is a great trade. Now Fever got enough for a near MAX money.. try to get Elle Don as Un-Restricted free agent.. Then we have a great team

[@usveteran9893]

We may see a player from overseas.

[@A_8K_4]

I would like them to see if they can package something up for the Valkyries to get Temi back in the door 🙏💯❤️

[@artistamisto]

@@A_8K_4 They left her unprotected why would they want her back? She wasn't all that good offensively and was always getting hurt.

[@user-ju1nn3lf3c]

If a trade happens with Valkyries, it'll be for Kate Martin!

[@brandonsleep9156]

I wanna see someone step to Caitlin now with Natasha and Sophie on the team 😂

[@dixieforbes-gorby896]

Hotdog and hallelujah.. Smith is toast

[@noimillabe5299]

Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas got what they wish for - a training facility. A true fever player wishes for a championship, not a facility.

[@fernandolundy3644]

Even though we still miss Temi, it is looking pretty good.

[@heinleinreader]

Quit anointing Sophie Cunningham as the savior of the team and all that is holy people. She's a lesser defender than Hull is. Stephanie White is focusing her attention on improved defense over offense. Lexie tops Sophie there too. She's the league's best in 3-point percentage among all qualified shooters. Sophie was low to mid 30s. That's decent enough, but it's hardly pushing 50% like Lexi was. So how you people anoint Sophie as the starter because she was traded for Smith, who had lost her starting spot already last season, I don't get that. She'd proved herself unreliable. That's what cost her that starting spot. So if Sophie was traded for a backup, how is she suddenly the starter? No!!!!! Until Lexie's done something in the season to lose the role, She's the starter.

[@TaiyouArt]

Coach will decide that but appreciate the input

[@ChrisDavis-dt6xx]

Welcome to The Fever Sophie Cunningham

[@Mrrickyboy41]

Fun fact: It won't be necessary to protect Howard( she has CORE protection) from the next expansion draft therefore leaving us with more player protection.

[@MargueriteFahey]

I think that's why losing the #8 pick isn't devastating at all. Probably would be a player you would want to protect. Clark, AB, Hull, Sophie, Kelsey, Berger would probably be protected as of now (along with Howard). If they add a Salaun type player, they will have to leave one of those six unprotected. That 8th pick was probably good as gone anyway.

[@Mrrickyboy41]

Yes, that makes total sense. New teams are looking to enter the WNBA and we would most likely have another 5 years of expansion drafts(Portland and Toronto are the next ones) with Detroit and others wanting to come in. We will be losing a player each year so a good strategy is necessary

[@franbyrne4168]

CC just got two enforcers

[@Fizz8111]

Thanks as always for the video Robin. The people are under some crazy impression the NS is actually worth something. The front office of the Fever have already shown how meticulous they are. Do you really think they would have gotten themselves into a trade that had nothing to do with them if they had a choice? They got the best they could with what they had to work with. She is talented, but just doesn't fit with the playtstyle Indiana is developing. What are you going to do?

[@brucetodd4851]

So excited.

[@digitalsoldier-1742]

I don't think the Fever loses much giving up #8 in the draft. There just might be a sleeper waiting with #19. And it could be another Iowa alum: Hannah Stuelke, who seems to be flying beneath the W's radar.

[@NolaDrake-d7j]

Hannah is only a junior, but I can't wait! She and Caitlin are like bread and butter!! No way the Fever would ever get that high of draft in '26!

[@digitalsoldier-1742]

@@NolaDrake-d7j Yea, I checked after posting. It nagged at me that I might be promoting her to senior. Thanks.

[@jimfinch6875]

Where will Bonner,Carter and Tina Charles be by the end of this weekend?

[@sambell904]

Everyone is a contender! Atlanta, NY, LA, Phoenix. How about we chill until everything is done with the signing week.

[@artistamisto]

Nah, you chill. 🤡

[@jeffreydevries2903]

CC makes everybody better so it’s going to be fun.

[@tgifmitch]

The Fever did the work and found were not getting much back for Smith. Also must not have felt to strong about the talent for the #8 pick. They want win now with Boston & Clark on rookie deals.

[@Joaquin-227]

At # 8 would Sonia Citron be there? That is the question? The Fever killed two birds with one stone. Taking Cunningham who is a runner and a big defensive guard. Got rid of the cancer Smith. Potentially at 19 they can draft the rights to a foreign player.

[@usveteran9893]

I don't think Sonia Citron makes it to eight.

[@TaiyouArt]

No chance Citron goes at 8. She’s a 5-6 pick for sure

[@TaiyouArt]

Might even go 3-4

[@jimfinch6875]

Giving up the 8th pick is a little rich, that said moving Smith is a good move for team chemistry

[@usveteran9893]

I feel we may get a player from overseas.

[@mikemiller4726]

I think this is the next move. A big overseas player

[@bumrush5314]

Sophie for #8 pick and smith is a huge win for the fever. Sophie will be better than the 8 pick in every way. Replacing Smiths attitude with Sophie’s is a huge win.

[@RamblingRob-vi7ct]

Cunningham stated she wanted to play with CC and by the way try to bully CC now and see what happens Sophie gonna be a protector

[@DAVIDMILLER-nc9vo]

Heads up! Smith, in 2024 Smith shot 48%. That is better than any other Indiana Fever player including most people's favorite Caitlin Clark.. But Smith was such a headache for the Fever that people forgot her shooting ability. I am glad she is off the roster. She will have a great future is she can get her head on straight. Some "ifs" are BIG IFS!

[@nancylaw2213]

If they could get Bonner, that would be fire

[@johnbrady1500]

And they have a big coaching upgrade.

[@danielbarrido2030]

Great trade. Title contenders yes, but not favorites yet. But almost max contract money left for one more piece…. still crossing my fingers for Emma “nikola jokic” Meesseman

[@jeffreymartinez306]

Does anybody know how much money the fever have left in their budget for other players?

[@lindysmallwood2039]

I think Sophie is great for the fever. Wasn’t happy about losing the pic, but it’ll be fine. Fever still has money to get one high contract player or two draft players if they choose so. Possibly getting somebody from overseas.

[@fcv1967]

Sophie is going to make the Fever great again

[@GameswithLeroy]

getting sophie is a win

[@cairnterriermom8546]

NS represented the resistance

[@KarmaIsaTSpodcast13]

Robin, I don’t think this is the end of their free agency moves this year…

[@susanlarsen8651]

They still have cap space

[@1971stevan]

The Fever look like Iowa....not a bad look, but maybe losing in the Finals every year will teach them that they need one more player....a dominant 4 or 5. they are a dominant scoring team now, and far tougher than last year. But they will give up a lot of points, and better outscore the teams scoring at will on them.

[@kapo5650]

Yay🎉

[@DorthedaHeuer]

I’m mean Kelsey Mitchell! 🙏❤️👏👍

[@seeweda]

My takes Satou didn’t want to play for Fever, what Dallas got for Satou, Fever could have matched. Surprised Mercury let Sophie go, she was a fan favorite here and the franchise spokes person at events, etc.

[@mikemiller4726]

Does anyone know even know if fever ever wanted SS. Fans did but maybe that was never the fevers position

[@shafedpoozay6709]

Howard is better for the fever than Sabally. Happy they signed her😎

[@seeweda]

@ I don’t disagree, more angry that Nalyssa Smith attitude was so bad nobody wanted her and we had to lose 11 draft spots just to get rid of her. She’s a #2 overall pick making less than 100k in her prime. Dallas should have been giving the Fever a draft pick for her not the other way around.

[@shafedpoozay6709]

@seeweda At least she's gone. The Fever has the big 3. A #8 pick wouldn't matter as a rookie...unless you a Top 3 Draft Pick.

[@TyLeeper-r1e]

​@shafedpoozay6709 apparently you don't realize that this is a deep draft class. Fever gave up way too much. Might make them a #5 team. Still need to address bench and defense

[@VickiMorris-r5j]

Howard & Cunningham 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🔥🔥🔥🔥 Bubye Smith 😛

[@zealazax6287]

This team will be in the Finals.

[@daz97]

🎉🎉🎉🎉 Very very very happy with Fever right now Next season is going to be great for us Its just a shame we can't buy the Refs because last season they choose who won the league

[@JudyJones-m7l]

Yeah. I always said Sophie, Satou or Gabby Williams

[@DaveLawniczak]

Does the Fever still need a fast, tall, like Temi ???

[@alancourtney1367]

Considering Indiana is likely to run, they need fresh players off the bench who can play heavy minutes and keep the pace going.

[@Graybeard_]

I think they still have some cap too. Stay tuned.

[@mikeibit5891]

Sabally wants to be no. 1 option or no. 2 option for offense. With the fever, she's 4th... with KM, CC, AB being on the top....

[@dorothybianchi1149]

Natasha and Sophie....move to Indy ASAP...in the gym with Coach Porter.....in the gym with CC to get acclimated to CC passes. We want no fumbles to start the season. All teammates get together and gel early....not sure how many can work with coaches at the same time...but you guys can play on your own. Let's get this done...we want to be out the gate from the start. That being said: can't wait for that one more move to hit.

[@kevinw1822]

I was on the board…. Do they snag mabrey to send her to a winning team that she’s dying for but…. The SC deal…. Was my second best and didn’t see it coming. But Sophie does hold CC in high regards so if she knows her place should be a great team.