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Sep 9, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Chicago Sky guard Sevgi Uzun (0), guard Kia Nurse (11), and forward Maddy Westbeld (21) await an inbound by the Las Vegas Aces during the first quarter at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images \/ Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
With only Reese, Cardoso, and this season’s rookies, Hailey Van Lith and Maddy Westbeld, under contract heading into the 2026 WNBA regular season, the Sky can totally turn the roster<\/a> into the product they want.<\/p>\n In order to make that a winning a product, here are the three steps that Chicago should take.<\/p>\n ARIEL ATKINS THIRTY-PIECE.<\/p>\n \u2014 Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) August 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n As a return of their 2025 WNBA Draft night trade, the Sky sent the rights to the third overall pick for Atkins. The Washington Mystics unloaded their veteran guard<\/a> in the middle of her two-year, $400,000 deal for rookie Sonia Citron.<\/p>\n Citron was named a WNBA All-Star in her first season in the league. Averaging just under 15 points per game, the rookie connected on 44.5% of her shots from behind the three-point arc.<\/p>\n Aug 28, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Sky guard Ariel Atkins (7) against the Phoenix Mercury at Phx Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images \/ Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Atkins averaged 13.1 points per game, but did not play in all 44 games like Citron did. A more expensive player, the former Mystics guard is a free agent now that her contract is complete.<\/p>\n The former WNBA champion can still score and provide a punch offensively (when healthy) for Chicago. The Sky need veteran leadership to help build a winning culture around Reese and Cardoso. However, if general manager Jeff Pagliocca can’t convince Atkins to return on a more team-friendly deal, she may not be the best fit.<\/p>\n Jun 7, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) looks to pass the ball against the Indiana Fever during the first half of a WNBA game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images \/ Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n The Sky don’t need another big out of the first round. Here, Chicago should look for a young playmaker to learn from veteran Courtney Vandersloot. The two-time WNBA champion announced that she was interested in returning to the Sky<\/a> for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n Having a full season of Vandersloot and Atkins in the back court for Chicago could help cut down on the team’s turnover woes. The Sky led the league in turnovers with 15.6 per game.<\/p>\n If Pagliocca is not confident in finding the answer regarding Chicago’s draft placement in the first round, he could trade for another team’s 2026 first-round pick for a future first-round pick. A third trade in as many years<\/a> could advance the Sky’s rebuild and return to the WNBA Playoffs.<\/p>\n The first of many WNBA points for Kamilla Cardoso \ud83e\ude75#skytown<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/oH5BD8bpQe<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) June 1, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n The Sky had four players average more than 10 points per game. Unfortunately, Vandersloot only played in seven games before sustaining a season-ending ACL injury. She averaged 10.6 points in 2025<\/p>\n In addition to being the team and league’s leading rebounder, Reese was the Sky’s best scorer with a 14.7 points per game average. Cardoso scored 13.6 while Atkins recorded a 13.1 points per game average.<\/p>\n Sep 3, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) walks on the court during the second half of a WNBA game against the Connecticut Sun at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images \/ Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Reese’s scoring average barely cracked the WNBA’s Top 25 for points per game. Even bad teams like the Connecticut Sun and the Dallas Wings both had a pair of offensive weapons to rank in the Top 25. Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale did it for Dallas while former Sky guard Marina Mabrey and Tina Charles did it for Connecticut.<\/p>\n Chicago needs help on both sides of the ball. Being able to reduce their turnovers, score more efficiently<\/a> while continuing to be a force on the boards should allow the Sky to return to the playoffs. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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