The 2024 season had a lot of fireworks for the Indiana Fever, but not many predicted Lexie Hull’s growth. After being a role player in Indiana for all four of her rookie contract years, thanks to her clutch shooting and relentless, annoying defense, the Stanford alum now enters the 2026 league year as a restricted free agent for the first time. The bigger question now looms – Will Lexie Hull stay in Indy?

As a restricted free agent, Hull is free to negotiate with any other team across the league. But she had some love to give to her Indiana fans. “Yeah, I mean, I’m a restricted free agent. So I think that changes things a little bit,” Hull said in her exit interview.

“But I’ve loved my years here in Indiana. So obviously, with a lot of uncertainty, you don’t know what’s to come, but I’ve built a life here and I love this franchise. I love the people. I love the fans. So, we’ll see what comes.” 

The guard was drafted by the Indiana Fever as the sixth overall pick in 2022. Hull’s rookie contract was $217,502/ 3 yr(s), with her opting for the club option for 2025. After starting only 4 of 26 games in her rookie season, she was in the starting role for the majority of the time as a sophomore. But with Clark last season, she became her go-to target on the offense. On the other side of the ball, she tortured the players to force turnovers, often winning in a one-on-one situation. Although her scorecard only read 5.5 points in 19.7 minutes, her ability to shoot on demand stood out.

Often finding her way into the corner, Hull became the third-best three-point shooter behind Clark and Kelsey Mitchell for the Fever. With her small frame, she would find her way into the paint for a quick layup as well. But what really separated her from the rest was her defense. Moreover, she was the second-best 3-point shooter in the league last season.

Adding more firepower to her game, she logged 7.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 27 minutes per game in 2025. No doubt, she was a key player in Stephanie White’s vision to take Indiana deep into the playoffs. But completing her rookie contract this season, she enters free agency.

As a restricted free agent, Hull will be able to surf the market and check all the offers available for her. If she likes another team’s offer, she can leave. But if the Fever matches that number, Hull will return to Indiana with no wiggle room. This contrasts with Kelsey Mitchell’s case.

The 8-year veteran became an unrestricted free agent for the first time last season since she was drafted as the second overall pick in 2018. However, the Fever chose to make her a core player and offered her a $249,244/1-year deal in the offseason. The 2025 MVP finalist enters unrestricted free agency once again this season.

Like last year, her priority remains her family. And if everything streamlines there, we can hope for the Fever to match any offer she gets and convince her to stay. After all, her wish when signing this year’s contract to go deep into the playoffs did come true. Although she missed Clark in the backcourt, the duo can be more lethal next season.

Apart from Hull and Michell, change-makers Natasha Howard and Sophie Cunningham, amongst others, will also be unrestricted free agents this offseason. The veterans signed one-year deals due to the ongoing CBA negotiations. Even outside Indiana, the league will see more free agents for the same reason. Only Clark, Aaliyah Boston, and Makayla Timpson, who are on their rookie contracts, will be returning under HC Stephanie White. So, the ball is firmly with the Indiana Fever. If they want Lexie Hull to continue as a part of their young core, Fever will need to pony up as much as the highest bid for the 6-ft-1 guard.

The approximate amount is as uncertain as ever because of the muddy CBA situation, which could send player salaries through the roof, along with the salary cap. Under the current CBA, the salary cap is specified for each season through 2027 with annual increases of 3% each season.

With almost the entire WNBA going into free agency, there is also a sliver of doubt whether the Fever would let Hull go if they get a better replacement in the process. But I don’t think they will get one. While free agency will ultimately come down to numbers on a contract sheet, Hull has already proven her value in the numbers that matter most: her play on the court.

With Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell running the show, Indiana flaunts one of the most explosive backcourts in the WNBA. Aliyah Boston anchors the paint with her two-way dominance, giving the Fever star power at every level. But titles aren’t built on talent alone; it’s the do-it-all role players, the ones who adapt and elevate, that often tip a contender into a champion.