The 2025 WNBA offseason has players everywhere. Sophie Cunningham is prepping for another tournament while Caitlin Clark is teeing off with pros. Now, Indiana’s Natasha Howard is also jumping into the spotlight, and her next move could come with a massive overseas paycheck.

As per reports, Howard is expected to join Sichuan for the upcoming WCBA season, where salaries for top-tier players can reach $1 million or more per year, while others typically earn between $150K and $500K.

While the news hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, the three-time WNBA champion fueled the speculation herself after posting an Instagram Story from inside a plane cabin captioned, “Off to China I go ✈️,” signaling that something is definitely in motion.

The timing of Natasha Howard’s possible WCBA transition comes amid heated CBA negotiations between the WNBA and the WNBPA. Just 2 days ago, the league offered a proposal to the players, which included a maximum salary of over $1.1 million, an average of around $460K, and a minimum of $220K. However, the players’ association has rejected the offer.

As per players, the proposal does nothing to fix the issue they’ve been fighting over for more than a year: the league’s fixed salary-cap structure. The WNBPA wants a system tied directly to revenue, similar to the NBA’s BRI model. Under the existing deal, the WNBA cap only rose 3% annually, and past revenue-sharing incentives have never been fully triggered. With only 7 days left till the deadline for the negotiations, if an agreement isn’t reached between both parties, it could result in a possible lockdown.

While Caitlin Clark’s teammate Howard hasn’t had a long history in the WCBA, during the 2018–19 overseas season, she played for Xinjiang Magic Deer in the WCBA. And now, her proven two-way game, strong defensively and efficient in scoring, makes her a perfect fit for a Chinese club chasing a title. A move to Sichuan would not only unlock a lucrative contract and team her up with former WNBA star Liz Cambage, but also offer her valuable playing time and development as she builds toward the next WNBA season.

Howard’s next chapter may not be official just yet, but all signs are pointing East. However, another layer of uncertainty looms: Natasha Howard’s status with the Indiana Fever for the 2026 WNBA season.

Natasha Howard’s 2026 WNBA season with the Caitlin Clark-led Indiana Fever remains uncertain

After one of the best performances in the 2025 season, averaging 11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, Howard is set to become an unrestricted free agent once her 2025 contract expires, leaving fans and the organisation wondering about her next steps.

In an interview last month, as per Indystar, she reflected on the unpredictability, saying, “Free agency, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m not trying to think about that right now. I’m just trying to dissect everything for this season. I’m really proud of what we have done and also myself being in the league for so long and carrying this special group to the semifinals.”

Since then, the 6-foot-2 star still hasn’t opened up about whether she is going to stay with the Fever or not. Do you think Natasha Howard will return to the Caitlin Clark-led Fever next season? Share your thoughts in the comments!