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Why Aari McDonald can't stay with Fever once Caitlin Clark returns to rotation

By Candace Pedraza

Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates with Indiana Fever guard Aari McDonald (2) Tuesday, June 3, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates with Indiana Fever guard Aari McDonald (2) Tuesday, June 3, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. / Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Aari McDonald only needed one game to show why it's a farce that she didn't start out the 2025 WNBA season on a roster. The shorter rosters in the league make it so that so many talented players like McDonald actually struggle to stick with a team, which make opportunities like the one the former 3rd overall pick is receiving all the more important.

McDonald recorded just seven points in her debut with the Fever, but she posted five assists and, maybe more notably, 27 minutes on the floor compared to Sydney Colson's 17 minutes. She was trusted immediately by head coach Stephanie White, especially because of her intensity on the defensive end of the ball.

Drawn fouls, blown up screens thanks to strong navigation, and constantly staying in front of her opponent all stood out from her performance on defense, while her offense spoke for itself given a victory for the Fever.

All of that, and yet, McDonald has no guarantee to remain with Indiana, despite looking like the perfect Caitlin Clark backup. While the Fever can keep her on a standard contract once the length of her hardship deal is up, it's unlikely. That's because they'd have to cut one of their veterans from the team to make it work - and it just doesn't feel like that's coming.

McDonald likely to be allowed to walk once hardship deal is done with Fever

McDonald's deal is only running through a week of action, which lines up perfectly with when Clark is expected to return from her quad injury. Once that deal is up, Indiana could hypothetically offer a standard contract to McDonald, but given that there's been no indication that they're unhappy with their depth at foward, it feels unlikely that she'll be thrown on the roster in lieu of a veteran deep on the bench.

READ MORE: Aari McDonald might force Fever to make tough Sydney Colson decision

However, this issue highlights one of Indiana's biggest mess-ups from the offseason: not signing more guard depth. Injuries happen, and the Fever are the biggest example of how erratic they can be. Clark being hurt was one thing - but then Colson and Cunningham went down in the same game, and it became clear they needed more insurance.

Perhaps McDonald does find a spot on this roster in lieu of a player that isn't getting many minutes like Bri Turner or Makayla Timpson. But, for now, it just seems like McDonald simply exposed a big issue on Indiana's roster moving forward.

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