If the Fever want to improve at the WNBA trade deadline, Cunningham could be on the move.
Indiana Fever Urged to Make Unfortunate Sophie Cunningham Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
As the WNBA trade deadline approaches, the Indiana Fever are being urged to consider all their options to improve the team around superstar point guard Caitlin Clark.
According to Athlon Sports' Parker Johnson, one route involves trading Sophie Cunningham to the Los Angeles Sparks, who the Fever play on Tuesday night.
Cunningham, 28, is averaging 8.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 41.6 percent from three this season.
It would be an unfortunate turn of events for the 6-foot-1 wing, who was labeled by teammate Natasha Howard as the Fever's "firecracker" after putting up a season-high 17 points in a win against the Seattle Storm on Sunday.
But when you see what Indiana could get in return for the tough decision, you may understand why they were told to do "whatever it takes" to strike a deal with Los Angeles.
Indiana Fever's Possible Blockbuster Trade With LA Sparks
Johnson pitched three trade ideas for the Fever, including this one to acquire sharpshooting big Azura Stevens from the Sparks.
- Indiana Fever receive Azura Stevens
- Los Angeles Sparks receive Sophie Cunningham
- Los Angeles Sparks receive Damiris Dantas
- Los Angeles Sparks receive 2026 first-round pick
Stevens is averaging 14.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. At 6-foot-6, she also shoots an impressive 40.5 percent beyond the arc.
She would be a dream addition on both ends of the floor for Fever head coach Stephanie White, but there would also be motivation for the Sparks to bring in Cunningham.
The gritty veteran would add shooting and defense next to All-Star Kelsey Plum in the Los Angeles backcourt. While Stevens would be sorely missed and Dantas would only replace some of her value, it would open up more minutes for 2024 No. 2 overall pick Cameron Brink as she continues to develop with the Sparks.
There's also Cunningham's off-court value, both as a leader in the locker room and one of the most marketable players in the WNBA right now.
Why the Fever Should Make a Move at the WNBA Trade Deadline
"If (the Fever) want to create a bonafide super team to contend with the (Minnesota Lynx) and the (New York Liberty), they should offer whatever it takes to get (Stevens)," Johnson wrote.
In this case, that included offering Cunningham to the Sparks and parting ways with a first-round pick. Trading away a fan favorite would not be an easy decision, but the best way to win back support is to win a championship.
The deal fills multiple team needs for the Fever that could get exposed in the later rounds of the playoffs if not addressed.
- Frontcourt depth
- A consistent fourth scoring option
- Floor spacing around Clark
The Lynx, Liberty and Storm have already applied pressure by making big moves before the deadline. This trade would elevate the Fever into the top tier of favorites for the 2025 WNBA title, with Clark's return from injury getting closer by the day.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
