Fever give Kelsey Mitchell core designation in WNBA free agency
The Indiana Fever have given Kelsey Mitchell a core designation. Here's what it means for the WNBA star.
The Indiana Fever opened WNBA free agency by placing a core designation on guard Kelsey Mitchell . Per the league's transactions page, on Monday, the Fever sent a core qualifying offer to Mitchell. It should come as no surprise that Mitchell is a top priority for Indiana.
The front office has made it clear for months that retaining her is the goal. Mitchell's teammate, Fever star Caitlin Clark , also reinforced the same thought process in March during an appearance on NBC . "You know, our first priority is to sign Kelsey Mitchell back.
She was first-team All-WNBA last year. Kind of my running mate in the backcourt. She makes it really easy for me," Clark said .
Now that Mitchell has a core designation, she is eligible for a supermax contract (worth $1. 4 million) in exchange for exclusive negotiation rights. Mitchell receives an automatic one-year contract, and she and Indiana can work towards a long-term contract should they so choose.