The Chicago Sky are entering the offseason in full crisis mode, leaving fans wondering if the Windy City’s WNBA team might finally catch a breeze of luck—or blow away like tumbleweeds. After a rough 13-27 season, general manager Jeff Pagliocca appears to be clearing the chessboard, and unfortunately for Chennedy Carter, her piece might not make the cut.
The fifth-year guard, who shined brighter than a Chicago deep-dish pizza with her performance last season, has shockingly not received a qualifying offer. Yes, the very Chennedy Carter who led the Sky in points and delivered a solid stat line of 17.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.1 APG, and 1.1 SPG. With numbers like that, you’d think she’d be untouchable. But alas, Carter’s situation has become as wobbly as a foldable lawn chair.
Drama in the Windy City
According to WNBA insider Annie Costabile, the Sky have extended qualifying offers to Michaela Onyenwere, Dana Evans, and Nikolina Milić, but Carter’s name was conspicuously absent from the list. Why? Apparently, it’s not her game—it’s her “commitment to team culture.” Ouch.
“She’s got the skills, no doubt,” Costabile said in a Saturday column for the Chicago Sun Times. “But questions remain about her dedication on the court and her fit within the team’s culture.” Translation: There’s more drama behind the scenes than in an episode of Real Housewives of Chicago.
And let’s not ignore the elephant in the room—or rather, the draft board. Chicago holds the No. 3 pick in the WNBA draft. UConn superstars Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd are tantalizing options, along with Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles, all of whom could pair beautifully with the Sky’s cornerstone Angel Reese. So, if Carter’s out, the Sky might simply be trading one star guard for another (younger and cheaper) version.
Reese to the Rescue?
Speaking of Angel Reese, the 2024 rookie sensation is wasting no time channeling her inner recruiter. During a women’s basketball tournament, Reese didn’t even try to play coy. When asked about bringing free agents to Chicago, she went straight to the point: “Get Kah back. Get Kah back.”
Reese’s public plea to four-time All-Star Kahleah Copper, who spent the bulk of her career in Chicago, was equal parts endearing and a little desperate. Copper, who’s been dropping buckets like a Vegas slot machine, had a stellar 2024 season with the Phoenix Mercury, averaging 21.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 2.3 APG. If Reese gets her wish, Copper might just come home to add some much-needed firepower to Chicago’s arsenal.
New Faces, New Hope?
The Sky’s offseason already started with a coaching shake-up. Out goes Teresa Weatherspoon; in comes Tyler Marsh, a fresh-faced coach looking to build a team that can actually, you know, win games. Marsh has a tough road ahead, but with young stars like Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, plus the No. 3 draft pick, there’s room for optimism.
Free agency will be another key opportunity for the Sky. While Reese campaigns for Copper’s return, fans are left hoping Chicago’s management will also look for experienced players to stabilize the team.
The Final Word
Chennedy Carter’s future with the Chicago Sky is now murkier than Lake Michigan on a rainy day. Will the team regret letting her go? Or will fresh talent and Copper’s potential return lead to a brighter season? One thing’s for sure: The Sky need to turn things around fast because patience, like Chicago’s winter sunshine, is in short supply.
