The Chicago Sky entered the 2024 draft like a team on a mission, bringing along the chaos of major coaching and roster changes. They kicked things off by hiring Teresa Weatherspoon as head coach, hoping to steady the ship after losing key starters like Kahleah Copper and Courtney Williams to free agency and trades. While they were trying to grapple in the best manner possible, their backs were still against the wall. Then came a relief: they acquired the No. 3 and No. 7 overall picks through savvy trades. And honestly, it was needed then and it did pay dividends.
Fast forward to 2025, and the team’s fortunes have flipped. If they were anyone’s darlings before, they are now everyone’s punchline. While the situation isn’t as intense as it was last year, the Sky are still desperately looking to add players to their roster. After all, missing the 2024 playoffs stung, especially with stars like Chennedy Carter, Kamilla Cardoso, and rebounding queen Angel Reese on the roster.
Injuries played a major part, but it doesn’t matter to the team. They are just not willing to take any risks whatsoever or leave any stones unturned. First, they fired Weatherspoon, saying, “time to make a change“. Then welcomed Tyler Marsh to take over the throne and reshuffled the deck. Fans hoped for Carter’s return, who is currently a free agent, as the team’s leading scorer. However, the Sky swapped her for Courtney Vandersloot. Then acquired Ariel Atkins in a trade with the Washington Mystics. In the process, the team gave up its 2025 third overall pick, 2027 second-round pick, and rights to swap 2027 first-round picks. Big names, but big enough?
But if you thought that was it, think more. The Sky just isn’t done wheeling and dealing. On Sunday, they struck gold—or at least tried to—by trading with the Minnesota Lynx for the No. 11 overall pick, per ESPN’s Alexa Philippou. Now armed with two first-rounders, the Sky are betting big on a draft-day miracle to turn their luck around. The trade didn’t come at no cost, though. They shipped their 2026 first-rounder and prior pick-swap rights to the Lynx. That’s no small price for a team already playing catch-up.
WNBA TRADE:
The Chicago Sky acquired the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. In exchange, Chicago and Minnesota agreed to end the Lynx’s right to swap the team’s 2026 first-round draft pick.
Minnesota will hold the Sky’s 2026 draft pick without having to swap their own.
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) April 13, 2025
And we forgot to mention that this decision also comes after the fact that the Sky finished the WNBA lottery pick with the overall No.3 pick. But in late February, they traded it away for Atkins. “The decision to try to go get Ariel Atkins was an Ariel Atkins decision,” Pagliocca said. “If anything, it shows just how much we’re dedicated and how much we believe in her that we were willing to move such a strong pick.”
Originally, the Sky planned to chase two young picks in the draft or maybe flip their picks for a higher one. Those dreams? Poof. Now they’re clutching the No. 11 pick, while Minnesota holds their 2026 fate—free and clear of any swap obligations. A good move? Well, the fans are screaming their takes.
Fans fume as the Chicago Sky makes a controversial move yet again!
When news of the trade broke, social media lit up like a Chicago skyline sunset. As expected, they were furious and genuinely confused by Chicago’s latest move. “Wait a minute. Chicago gave up probably a top 3-6 pick next year in a deeper draft, for #11 in a shallow one?” wrote one user, echoing the sentiment of many others.
It’s a fair point. The 2026 WNBA Draft is supposed to be stacked, with names like Lauren Betts, Awa Fam, Kiki Rice, Olivia Miles. And who can forget Flau’jae Johnson, of course! She is the kind of name and talent teams look for. So, the decision definitely feels like a head-scratcher.
“Dumb move,” another fan added. But here’s the thing, it’s not just the pick swap that’s got people riled up. The WNBA legend Rebecca Lobo once put it perfectly: “Teams that have an opportunity to win a championship do their work through free agency. Teams that are rebuilding do their work through the draft.” The Sky, firmly in rebuild mode, seems to be defying that logic. Instead of hoarding draft assets for a talent-rich 2026, they’re banking on a mid-first-rounder now. One can almost hear the collective sigh from Sky fans at Wintrust Arena.
Some fans were also baffled, saying, “So wait… do the Lynx now have two picks in the 2026 first round? Their own and Chicago’s?” Yep, that’s right. The Lynx, already a championship contender, now have two first-round picks in a draft that could reshape their roster for years. Cheryl Reeve, the Lynx’s head coach and president of basketball operations, must be grinning ear to ear. She’s been building a dynasty, and this trade just handed her another tool. “This trade in the WNBA Draft continues our focus on building a foundation for sustained success,” Reeve said back in 2024 about a previous deal with the Sky. We bet she’s thinking the same thing now. Even ESPN’s 2024 offseason guide noted the Sky’s “limited 3-point shooting” and roster holes, suggesting a rebuild through the draft was their best path.
Chicago, USA, September 6, 2024: Angel Reese 5 Chicago Sky and Kamilla Cardoso 10 Chicago Sky speaks with eachother during the game between the Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks on Friday September 6th, 2024 at Wintrust Arena, Chicago, USA. NO COMMERCIAL USAGE Shaina Benhiyoun/SPP PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xShainaxBenhiyoun/SPPx spp-en-ShBe-8P6A1046
But one thing is clear: Chicago also has their eyes firmly set on the present. This year, they hold the No. 10, 11, 16, and 22 picks in the draft. That kind of draft capital gives them a chance to address some major roster needs, starting with floor spacing. Head coach Tyler Marsh made that clear in his very first press conference: “We need shooting. And lots of it.”
With that in mind, USC’s Te-Hina Paopao could be a match made in basketball heaven. She led the NCAA in 3-point shooting the past two seasons with a blistering 46.8%. Imagine her coming off screens set by Reese and Cardoso or playing off Courtney Vandersloot in a pick-and-roll? That’s a nightmare for any defense.
But of course, not everyone’s convinced. Fans began to throw a massive curveball, saying, “Man, they needa be worrying ’bout when JuJu [Watkins] gets into the league”. It’s a nod to the future—one the Sky might’ve just traded away. Sue Bird in March was among those who were confused by the entire Ariel Atkins trade, and she put this risk the team has taken the best. “That, to me, is the most interesting part,” Bird noted. “If things play out in a certain way, and if the next CBA negotiation still makes it hard or impossible in Juju Watkins’ case to come out early, she’s going to be coming out in that 2027 draft class.”
However, maybe the team has a plan, who knows? With Reese, Cardoso, Elizabeth Williams (back from a torn meniscus), and the versatile Michaela Onyenwere in the mix, they have size, rebounding, and experience. What they need now is shooting, and the front office knows it.
GM Jeff Pagliocca has hinted that they’re still on the lookout for stretch forwards. One potential sleeper pick could be Notre Dame’s Maddy Westbeld. A career 34.9% shooter from deep, she took 2.6 threes per game, though her numbers dipped last season after foot surgery. The big question: was that dip temporary? Either way, the Sky are clearly swinging for the fences.
What is your take?
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