NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Sky will need to find a new head coach and general manager.
The organization announced on Saturday that James Wade will step down and join the Toronto Raptors assistant coaching staff. Emre Vatansever will immediately take over as head coach and GM as the Sky continue a season where they sit 7-9 and 4th in the Eastern Conference.
Wade was with the franchise for five seasons and was a pivotal part of making the Sky a true WNBA powerhouse. He held an 81-59 record while at the helm of the team and helped win the franchise its first-ever championship during the 2021 season. Wade also won the Executive of the Year award during the 2022 campaign.
While this sounds like an awesome opportunity for Wade, who has worked his butt off to rise up the coaching ranks, this is undoubtedly a big blow for the Sky. The organization is already trying to form a new identity after seeing the departure of practically its entire championship roster. Kahleah Copper was one of the few remaining players from the title team, and Wade most recently build the team around her by adding well-known faces like Marina Mabrey and Courtney Williams.
Anyway, now all we can do is see how the Sky can handle the news. Congrats to Wade on the new gig. The Raptors made a wise choice.
