Caitlin Clark is now eligible for the new “EPIC” (Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract) provision included in the latest collective bargaining agreement that allows players to renegotiate the fourth year of their rookie deals and sign three-year extensions. The three-time All-Star, 2024 Rookie of the Year and 2024 first-team All-WNBA selection, however, isn’t necessarily looking to sign the extension.
“We have to think about things with the cap,” Clark said, “and what we’re going to need and who we’re going to need to sign and what value they bring to the team.
“Not saying I’m going to sign it or not sign it. I think it’s just kind of figuring out the way we need to construct our roster. No matter what, I’m gonna be here. I just want to do what’s best for the team and make sure we have the opportunity to be able to win championships. Like, that’s my main goal.”
Clark could sign for the projected max of $1.3 million in 2027 and the projected supermax of $1.7 million in 2028, which would be the first year of her extended deal. Under the EPIC provision, qualifying players can earn the max in their fourth year if they were previously named All-WNBA first or second team, or they can earn the supermax if they were named MVP. She finished the season ranked No. 3 in points per game and No. 2 in assists per game.
General manager Amber Cox will have some decisions to make after the Fever fell to the No. 6 seed in the playoffs for a third consecutive season and didn’t make it out of the first round. Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, Tyasha Harris and Myisha Hines-Allen are all unrestricted free agents, so there could be some significant changes throughout the roster.
Clark indicated that she intends to have a voice in the room as roster construction is discussed and would be active in recruiting any free agents. She called it a “responsibility” as a leader on the team and believes Aliyah Boston and, hopefully, Mitchell, would be involved too.
“Us and Amber, we always have open dialog about players,” Clark said. “You hear rumblings about how players are in the locker room or what they’re like to play with and things like that. That’s all helpful to the GM or whatever it is. You share those types of things about who you think we can get or whose play style will fit next to whoever it is, and what positions are most important for us to get.
“Those are definitely conversations we have with Amber. At the end of the day, Amber’s the GM and she makes the final call, but she certainly asks us our opinion, and wants us to have a voice in that.”