In a move that has WNBA fans buzzing with nostalgia and possibility, former Iowa Hawkeye guard Kate Martin was waived by the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday, August 29, opening the door for a potential reunion with her longtime college teammate and close friend Caitlin Clark on the Indiana Fever.
Martin, the sharpshooting 6-foot wing and 2024 second-round draft pick, averaged just 2.3 points and 1.1 rebounds in 7.1 minutes across 17 games for the Sparks this season. After starting the year on a developmental contract following an unexpected cut by the Golden State Valkyries, she earned a standard roster spot in early July. Playing time dwindled later in the campaign amid a string of coach’s decisions, and Los Angeles ultimately cleared the roster spot to claim Aaliyah Nye off waivers from the Atlanta Dream.
This marks the second time Martin has been released in 2026. The Valkyries, who selected her in the expansion draft after her rookie year with the Las Vegas Aces, waived her just before the season tipped off. She responded by signing with the Sparks hours before their opener and delivering hustle plays and occasional scoring bursts, including an 11-point outing in May.
The timing has ignited widespread speculation about a Fever landing. Indiana currently sits atop the Eastern Conference with a strong record, led by Clark’s elite playmaking and three-point volume. Martin’s college chemistry with Clark—four years of shared Hawkeye success that included deep NCAA Tournament runs—makes the fit emotionally compelling. Fever fans have long dreamed of the duo reuniting in the pros, and Martin’s perimeter shooting and defensive energy could provide valuable bench depth as the team pushes toward the playoffs.
Roster constraints remain a hurdle. Indiana’s 12-player active roster and developmental spots are currently full, meaning any signing would require a corresponding move. Still, with the regular season winding down and the league pausing for the FIBA Women’s World Cup, front offices are evaluating late-season additions for playoff depth.
Martin has already secured her next chapter outside the WNBA, re-signing with the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league on a multi-year deal announced the same day as the Sparks waiver. The competitive offseason circuit will keep her sharp and visible.
Whether or not the Fever make it official, Martin’s journey continues to captivate. From Iowa standout and Clark’s trusted teammate to resilient pro navigating roster battles, her story resonates. A possible Indiana landing would deliver one of the most heartwarming reunions in recent WNBA history—and give Fever Nation even more reason to cheer as the postseason approaches.
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