Natasha Howard brings ideal skills and traits to Indiana Fever

It’s a full-circle moment in just about every way. Howard, 33, was drafted by the Fever in 2014. Kelly Krauskopf, then the team’s president and general manager, picked her fifth overall as Indiana looked to strengthen its frontcourt in Tamika Catchings‘ final few seasons on the court.

The following season, Stephanie White was named the Fever’s head coach. She guided the team to the WNBA Finals, where it fell to the Minnesota Lynx. Howard played in nine playoff games that season.

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It’s been 10 years since that Finals run for the Fever. White recently returned as head coach. Krauskopf is back as president. And Howard, after a journey that landed her with four other franchises, is back in Indiana. While so much has changed for the Fever in recent years, this all feels familiar.

“It feels good to be back where I started,” Howard posted on the social media platform X on Friday.

The 6’2 Florida State product has won three championships in her career — two with the Seattle Storm and one with the Lynx. She has 53 games of postseason experience, which is more than the rest of the Fever roster combined.

Her resume extends beyond that, too. Howard averaged 17.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in 2024. She is a two-time All-Star and two-time All-Defense selection. She was the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 and the league’s Most Improved Players in 2018. She made her lone All-WNBA team in 2019 as well, finishing in the top five in MVP voting.

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That resume and experience combination is exactly what Krauskopf is searching for in free agency.

“I think that the veteran leadership that Kelsey [Mitchell] was able to provide, we need to help her. We need to add to that,” Krauskopf told reporters in the fall about her offseason thinking. “I do think this team needs a little bit more experience, probably some more size. If you look at the teams that are in the playoffs right now, they’re loaded with players who have been there.”

That line about size is noteworthy here as well. The Golden State Valkyries plucked 6’4 forward Temi Fagbenle off the Fever’s roster in the expansion draft, and 6’4 forward NaLyssa Smith is reportedly being traded away. That leaves a massive hole in the Fever frontcourt.

They need a starter, and Howard can fill that role. She can play the four or the five thanks to her shooting and defense, two skills that will matter a lot in Indiana’s new-look style of play. The Fever still may need frontcourt depth behind Howard — currently, the team has Howard, Aliyah Boston, Damiris Dantas and Victaria Saxton.

Howard wrote about her decision to come back to Indiana in a SLAM article published on Friday. “I was looking for a team that would appreciate me and what I bring to the table and won’t dim my light,” Howard shared. “I wanted a team that will give me the recognition that I need and, on top of that, just making sure that I’m happy.”

When the dust settled, she believed that Indiana was the best place for that. As a big who is proficient in two-player screening actions, Howard couldn’t ask for a better offensive fit. Being a pick-and-relocate option for Caitlin Clark or the recently re-signed Mitchell, two excellent shot creators, will make Howard’s life easy. The 11-year veteran had a strong impact on the Dallas Wings’ offense last season, which scored over 10 more points per 100 possessions with Howard on the court than off, per PBP Stats.

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Howard’s defense isn’t what it used to be, but it’s still enough for what the Fever need. And playing next to Boston will make things easier on that end of the floor. Howard is a strong skill fit for Indiana, especially given its departures in free agency.

In the background, the new Fever big will be equally impactful. Howard turns 34 in September and, barring a return from Erica Wheeler, will be the oldest player on Indiana’s roster. She’s playoff tested and has hit the hardwood with some WNBA legends in recent seasons. Her impact as a leader and off-court mentor will be important for a young, yet growing, Indiana group.

Howard can sign a contract with Indiana starting on Saturday, when free agency officially opens.