The Chicago Sky are being aggressive forward of the 2025 WNBA Draft as they give the impression of being to construct round franchise cornerstones Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. The franchise is coming off a rebuilding season that noticed its five-year playoff snapped. Nonetheless, the long run is brilliant for the Sky, and this group clearly desires to make itself a contender as quickly as doable.
Due to that drive, the Sky introduced on Sunday that they’ve traded for the Minnesota Lynx’s No. 11 general decide. Minnesota initially had the correct to swap picks with Chicago within the first spherical of the 2026 Draft because of a earlier commerce final yr. Now, in change for this deal, The Lynx will personal each first-round picks for that draft. Sky Normal Supervisor Jeff Pagliocca revealed his motivation for this deal in a public assertion.
“We consider the 2025 draft class is deep, and we’re excited concerning the flexibility we get hold of by buying one other first-round decide this yr. The No. 11 decide represents one other route to enhance our roster.”
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There are many instructions that the group can take with this choice. Main scorer Chennedy Carter is gone now, that means that the Sky want some scoring firepower on the guard/wing positions. TCU star level guard Hailey Van Lith might be an important addition alongside Courtney Vandersloot within the backcourt. Whereas Van Lith seamlessly tailored to the purpose guard place in Fort Value, she’s additionally able to being a viable off-ball risk.
Different choices at this decide embrace Alabama’s Sarah Ashlee Barker and NC State’s Saniya Rivers. If the Sky determine to go the guard route, they’ll have a chance to kind their backcourt of the long run alongside Reese and Cardoso. It is clear Pagliocca has a plan going into this draft if he is keen to be this aggressive and commerce up.
Total, Chicago Sky followers ought to be very excited concerning the upcoming season. There’ll certainly be rising pains over the following few months, however the franchise is constructing itself up the correct means with an All-Star caliber core. Reese is already coming off a record-setting rookie season, and now, she can have loads extra expertise and expertise round her. The expectation for the Sky heading into 2025 is to return to the postseason, and relying on how this workforce gels, who is aware of how excessive its ceiling is that this season and in the long term.