Indiana’s offense helped the Fever set a franchise record for wins in 2026, but the playoff loss to the Las Vegas Aces exposed areas the team will need to address. General manager Amber Cox identified frontcourt depth and perimeter defense as priorities for the offseason, giving a clear picture of where the Fever could focus as they try to build a stronger roster around Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston.
Indiana needs more options inside
Cox said the Fever need depth behind Boston at center or power forward. The need became more apparent in the first-round series, when Indiana struggled to contain A’ja Wilson. Wilson scored 36 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the deciding Game 3, while the Aces put up 94 points.
“The attacks on our fanbase have no basis in reality.” Fever GM Amber Cox closes her end-of-season press conference with a prepared statement defending the Indiana fans after receiving a lot of scrutiny online and in the media during the postseason. @WISHNews8 | @wrtv https://t.co/djhacJV2oi
— Angela Moryan (@AngelaMoryanTV) October 3, 2026Indiana’s defensive numbers also point to room for improvement. The Fever ranked ninth in defensive rating during the regular season and allowed the fifth-most points in the league. That left a gap between the team’s productive offense and its ability to get stops when the postseason tightened.
The frontcourt question is especially important because Boston plays such a central role on both ends. Adding depth behind her could give Indiana more options in difficult matchups and help the team absorb foul trouble or stretches when opponents attack the paint. Cox’s comments suggest the Fever are looking at both immediate help and a more balanced rotation.
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Perimeter defense is another focus
Cox also said Indiana needs more production from the wing and players who can defend some of the league’s top perimeter scorers. That will be an important part of the team’s roster planning as it tries to make life more difficult for opposing guards and wings.
The Fever also have decisions involving their current players. Kelsey Mitchell is set to become an unrestricted free agent, while the team has said it wants to work toward a contract extension with Clark. Retaining key contributors and finding ways to improve around them will both matter as Indiana maps out the offseason.
Indiana’s 28-win season gives the front office a strong foundation, but the playoff exit made the next steps clear. Adding help in the frontcourt and improving the defense could determine whether the Fever can turn another productive regular season into a deeper postseason run.
