The Chicago Sky are ready to rise like a phoenix—or at least, they’re hoping to not crash and burn again—after their 2024 season ended in the kind of disappointment that makes even die-hard fans start Googling, “How to switch team loyalties?” With the playoffs slipping out of reach for the first time since 2018, the Sky are eyeing some serious free agency moves. And guess who’s in their crosshairs? None other than Courtney Vandersloot, the point guard legend who helped the team win their first-ever WNBA title in 2021.
The $383,670 Question: Is Vandersloot the Missing Puzzle Piece?
After ditching the Windy City for the Big Apple in 2023 with a two-year, $383,670 deal, Vandersloot made her mark in New York by securing her second WNBA championship. But now, she’s a free agent, and the buzz is that Chicago’s general manager, Jeff Pagliocca, is plotting to lure her back. Why? Well, building a team around rising star Angel Reese needs more than just good vibes and motivational speeches.
Vandersloot, who averaged 6.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists last season, brings playmaking skills that can turn a stumbling team into a contender. Sure, her playoff minutes dipped like Chicago’s playoff hopes, but hey, she’s still got more game sense than most.
“I want to be valued. I want to be competitive. I want to have the ball in my hands and create the way I can,” Vandersloot declared recently. Translation: She’s not interested in being someone’s benchwarmer or a cog in the machine—she’s the engine.
Angel Reese’s Cryptic Tweet Sparks Rumors
Angel Reese, the young superstar who’s becoming the new face of the franchise, isn’t sitting silently on the sidelines of these free agency rumors. When the Sky decided not to extend an offer to their top scorer from last season, Chennedy Carter, Reese dropped a classic cryptic tweet:
“Everything happens for a reason.”
Was this Reese’s way of giving Carter a virtual pat on the back? Or was it her version of “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out”? Either way, Reese’s online breadcrumbs have fans speculating about what’s next for the team.
The Carter Conundrum
The decision to let Carter walk has stirred up its own drama. While Carter racked up points like a boss last season, WNBA insider Annie Costabile hinted at some off-court tension. Apparently, Carter’s “commitment to the team’s culture” raised eyebrows higher than Vandersloot’s assist-to-turnover ratio.
For a team looking to rebuild around Reese, culture matters. And it seems like Chicago isn’t afraid to make bold moves to get their locker room vibes—and their win-loss record—back on track.
What’s Next for the Sky?
With the third overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and a shiny new head coach in Tyler Marsh, the Chicago Sky seem poised for a major overhaul. Will Vandersloot return to her old stomping grounds and rekindle the magic? Will Angel Reese find her perfect co-star? Or will the Sky’s big plans crash harder than Carter’s free agency stock?
As the WNBA free agency officially kicks off on Jan. 21, all eyes are on Chicago. One thing’s for sure: whether the Sky rise or fall, it’s going to be one heck of a show.