Fever waive Jaelyn Brown, finalize 11-player roster ahead of opener
Indiana trims roster to 11 to stay under salary cap, with plans to add 12th player later. Rookie Makayla Timpson claims final spot. Plus, injury updates on Cunningham, Dantas.
The Indiana Fever trimmed the roster even further Tuesday, waiving Jaelyn Brown. She was acquired in January as part of the three-team trade that sent NaLyssa Smith to Dallas and brought Sophie Cunningham to Indy.
The move reduces the roster to 11 players — one below the league maximum — which was required by 5 p.m. ET on May 15, the WNBA’s roster deadline ahead of opening day.
Why not keep 12, the maximum allowed?
The Fever had to get under the salary cap. But they intend to sign a 12th player about a month into the season on a prorated deal. That addition won’t necessarily be someone waived during camp; the front office will also consider free agents who didn’t make a roster.
Brown, a left-handed shooter, is coming off her rookie season in Dallas. She played in all three preseason games with the Fever, but didn’t show enough to secure a spot. She totaled nine points (on 4-of-15 shooting) and seven rebounds in 41 minutes of action.
Brown is the fourth player waived by the Fever this month, along with Jillian Alleyne, Bree Hall, and Yvonne Ejim — all of whom were part of the 15-player camp roster on Day 1.