NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Sky pressed self-destruct earlier this offseason.
The decision came after former head coach and front office leader James Wade opted to reinvent the team on the fly. Instead of taking a step back after losing multiple key members of the 2021 WNBA Championship team, the Sky made several win-now moves. We saw multiple future draft picks sent to Dallas for Marina Mabrey, as well as veterans like Courtney Williams and Elizabeth Williams sign on with the franchise. The goal was clearly to remain among the league elites, but it became far easier said than done.
Chicago struggled to look like the same competitive squad from the jump. Before we knew it, Wade had also chosen to depart the organization midway through the season for a job with the Toronto Raptors. The Sky would finish an underwhelming 18-22 and get bounced by the dominant Las Vegas Aces in Round 1 of the playoffs. An offseason of drastic change followed.
To restock their draft capital, the Sky chose to trade All-Star and Finals MVP Kahleah Copper to the Phoenix Mercury. They also went out and hired New Orleans Pelicans assistant and former WNBA 2x DPOY Teresa Weatherspoon as their next head coach. The rebuild is now in full effect.
Indeed, the Sky will enter the 2024 WNBA Draft with picks No. 3 and No. 8 in the first round. The clear mission will be to land two high-upside players who can help build the franchise back from the ground up. And one of those players may be among the most well-known in the country.
Angel Reese to the Chicago Sky?
The Chicago Sky may have missed their shot at generational talent Caitlin Clark, but they may be in a prime position to grab college basketball’s second-biggest star.
Angel Reese told Vogue Magazine that she will officially take her talents to the WNBA. Reese also shared a video on X stating that her time in college had come to an end. Of course, Reese rose to fame as part of a dominant LSU team that won the 2023 National Championship. She spent her first two years with Maryland before transferring to LSU, where she averaged 20.9 points (50.1 FG%), 14.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game over his two years with the program.
Angel Reese has the combination of size and athleticism to become one of the WNBA’s true superstars. She can dominate teams on the glass with her explosiveness and pick up the slack guarding multiple positions. Her energy level is as infectious as they come, and it could be the perfect tone-setter for a franchise looking to establish a new identity.
The Athletic’s latest mock draft from Sabreena Merchant has the Sky selecting Reese as the No. 8 overall pick. They take Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson with their selection at No. 3, whose electric scoring ability has her as a favorite to go in the top 3. Yup, you can sign me up for that duo immediately!
As the draft nears, perspectives can only change, which is undoubtedly a concern when it comes to drafting Reese at No. 8. If there is any direction I’d expect her to go, it would be up draft boards thanks to her high motor and personality. I can understand how her lack of 3-point shooting and playmaking may point some organizations in another direction, but her other traits are undeniable. Not to mention, she’s the kind of name that will put fans in seats.
But, hey, I’d love it if other front offices don’t come to their senses! Angel Reese feels like a perfect player for new head coach Teresa Weatherspoon to build this new era around. Her college rivalry with Caitlin Clark – who is expected to be just mere hours away with the Indiana Fever – could also remain alive and well! Imagine how bumping the Wintrust Arena would get!?
