Last season, the Chicago Sky suffered a disappointing, and some might say embarrassing, season with Angel Reese on the roster, with a 10-34 record that had them tied with the Dallas Wings for the league’s worst.
Towards the tail end of that season, Angel Reese gained attention due to her frustrations with the team. The WNBA All-Star received a half-game suspension from her team due to statements she made to The Chicago Tribune, and it seemed a lot of work was needed to mend the relationship between her and the Sky.
However, the team took a clear stance on their situation with Reese this offseason, sending her to the Atlanta Dream in a trade for first-round picks in 2027 and 2028. Since that significant move, the team has started making others, most recently signing a former player and WNBA champion back to the roster.
Atlanta Dream Lose Brittney Griner Days After Angel Reese Trade: Report
On Saturday, ESPN reported that the Sky were signing Azura Stevens to a three-year deal to return to play in Chicago. Stevens previously spent three seasons with the team, from 2020 to 2022, and won a championship with the Sky in her first season there.
She spent the past season with the Los Angeles Sparks, averaging 12.8 points, eight rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. She also finished second in the WNBA Most Improved Player Award voting, and returns to Chicago on an upward trajectory.
The 6-foot-6 forward’s versatility should help create a strong Sky frontcourt that also features center Kamilla Cardoso. Reese was the team’s leading scorer and rebounder last season, followed by Cardoso.Â
While Reese was considered among the league’s premier stars, the Sky are definitely making big moves to improve on a dismal 2025 campaign. In addition to this recent signing of Azura, they re-signed center Elizabeth Williams for another two years.
There have also been discussions about adding seven-time All-Star Skylar Diggins and 2024 No. 4 pick Rickea Jackson to the roster. Both of those moves could further improve this team as the roster starts to look completely different.
According to Front Office Sports’ Annie Costabile, Chicago was considering a trade involving Ariel Atkins to the Sparks for Jackson. Reports also emerged about the Sky having discussions with Diggins, but neither move has officially occurred.
On Monday, the team can take another huge step towards next season’s success, as they hold the No. 5 pick in the WNBA Draft.
According to an ESPN mock draft several days ago, the Sky might draft shooting guard Flau’jae Johnson, which would be ironic considering she and Reese were former LSU teammates and won a championship together in 2023.
Still, things might be looking up for the Sky after such a disappointing past few seasons of WNBA basketball in Chicago.
Fever Finalizing Supermax Contract — Here’s Why It’s Not Caitlin Clark
For more about the Chicago Sky and WNBA, visit Newsweek Sports.
Read the full article here
