In the windy labyrinth of Chicago’s 2024 basketball debacle, there was a lone bright spot: Angel Reese. Sure, the Chicago Sky’s season was an implosion—13-27, no playoffs, and enough heartbreak to rival a bad romance novel. But hey, every sinking ship needs a dazzling figurehead, and Reese played that part impeccably before a left wrist injury hit the brakes on her rookie campaign.
Now, with the 2025 WNBA Draft Lottery looming like a beacon of hope, the Sky are banking on Reese’s charm both on and off the court. Why? Because when your record screams “dumpster fire,” you pin your dreams on the cosmic randomness of lottery balls. And guess who’s stepping up as the team’s official talisman at Sunday’s big event? Yep, Angel Reese.
Let’s be honest, Chicago isn’t just hoping for good luck; they’re praying for a basketball miracle. Their prize if the stars align? UConn’s Paige Bueckers, the golden goose of the upcoming draft. With handles sharper than a Ginsu knife and court vision that’d make an owl jealous, Bueckers is the consensus #1 pick—and a lifeline for any franchise fortunate enough to snag her.
But here’s the kicker. Despite their 22.7% chance of landing the top pick (same as the Dallas Wings), the Sky have a twisty plot twist to deal with. Thanks to a 2023 trade involving Marina Mabrey, the Wings hold a pick-swap option. Translation? If Chicago gets the #1 pick, Dallas could swoop in and snatch it faster than a clearance sale at the mall. Cruel, right? That trade deal is aging worse than milk in July.
And yet, there’s hope. After all, the Indiana Fever pulled a similar stunt last year. They sent Aliyah Boston, the eventual Rookie of the Year, to the lottery, and voila! The Fever hit the jackpot and nabbed Caitlin Clark. “She’s our good luck charm,” Indiana’s Lin Dunn gushed at the time. If Boston’s charm worked wonders, why can’t Reese sprinkle some lottery magic of her own?
In the meantime, Reese has a full plate. Recovering from surgery, adjusting to new head coach Tyler Marsh, and now moonlighting as the Sky’s lucky charm? Talk about multitasking. And knowing Reese, she’ll bring her trademark flair to the event. Don’t be surprised if she shows up with a rabbit’s foot, a horseshoe, and a four-leaf clover stuffed in her pockets.
As the basketball gods prepare to draw those lottery balls, one thing’s certain: The Sky are leaning hard on hope, humor, and a little bit of hocus-pocus. Will Reese’s aura of good fortune rewrite Chicago’s fortunes? Or will the Wings swoop in and leave them with nothing but “what-ifs”?
