The Chicago Sky were tied for the WNBA’s worst record last season. Then, they traded one of their best players, Angel Reese, for future draft consideration.
Now, after a series of shrewd offseason transactions, they look like one of the WNBA’s best teams.
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How did we get here?
After the Reese trade, it seemed unlikely that the Sky would be competitive this season. But general manager Jeff Pagliocca put together a new-look roster that, at least on paper, looked gritty. He traded for Jacy Sheldon and Rickea Jackson, signed Skylar Diggins, DiJonai Carrington, and Natasha Cloud in free agency, and drafted Gabriela Jaquez with the fifth overall pick.
It’s still early — and Jackson’s future is uncertain after she went down with a non-contact knee injury on Sunday — but the Sky’s new-look roster is exceeding expectations.
They began the season with a four-game road trip, going 3-1 with wins against the Portland Fire, Golden State Valkyries, and Minnesota Lynx (and dropping a game to the Phoenix Mercury).
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In her third season, Jackson has been excellent, averaging a team-high 18 points. Jaquez, who some thought was drafted too high at No. 5, has done a little bit of everything and hasn’t missed a step in her transition from college to the pros. She’s averaging 12.5 points and 5.8 rebounds, and put together the best game of her career — a 20-point, 8-rebound showing — in a win over the Lynx on Sunday.
“It’s very hard for me to take her off the court, even when she’s gasping for air,” said Sky head coach Tyler Marsh of Jaquez. “She just finds ways to be effective on both ends of the floor, and she doesn’t get disgruntled or out of rhythm when things don’t go her way.”
Former No. 3 pick Kamilla Cardoso is putting it all together, too — she’s averaging a 12-point, 10.3-rebound double-double as she anchors Chicago’s frontcourt. Diggins’ veteran leadership has been evident, and Sheldon has played some of the best basketball of her pro career.
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The Sky’s strong play stood out to Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve after their 86-79 win over Minnesota.
“I was struck by their identity, their cohesion,” she said, per Andrew Dukowitz. “It’s very, very strong. Give them credit.”
There’s lots of basketball still left to be played, but it was hard to know if the Sky’s offseason moves would fit together on the court. And, if Jackson is to miss significant time, that would certainly dampen the excitement around the team’s early success.
Still, right now, it looks like the Chicago Sky’s vision is coming to fruition.
