WNBA teams are starting to make crucial decisions for the 2025 season, handing out qualifying offers and core designations. The Chicago Sky extended qualifying offers to three of their restricted free agents: Dana Evan, Michaela Onyenwere, and Nikolina Milić. Somewhat surprisingly, that list did not include Chennedy Carter.
Carter was the Sky’s leading scorer last season and one of the team’s main offensive engines. She reminded everyone why she was a top pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft. It seemed, that the Sky would at least make her an offer. After all, a qualifying offer does not guarantee that a player will undoubtedly be back, and there is always the option to get some return in a sign-and-trade rather than just letting someone walk for nothing.
Recent rumors suggest that the Sky are ready to move on from Carter and let her explore free agency for various reasons. While the Sky would not make such a big decision without good cause, there are also some reasons why they should at least consider re-signing Carter despite the recent rumors.
2. The Sky desperately need scoring
In the 2024 season, the Chicago Sky featured ten players who played at least 20 games—half the games in the season. Out of those ten players, eight averaged at least 15 minutes per game. Nevertheless, only three of those ten players averaged double-digit scoring, including Marina Mabrey, who was traded to the Connecticut Sun during the season. With Mabrey gone, the Sky had two consistent double-digit scorers: Chennedy Carter and Angel Reese.
The Sky also featured few good 3-point shooters and playmakers. Only Rachel Banham, Dana Evans, and Michaela Onyenwere averaged more than 35 percent shooting from three, and only Banham did so at a significant volume. Likewise, once Mabrey was traded, only Lindsay Allen, Chennedy Carter, and Dana Evans averaged more than two assists per game.
Considering those circumstances, it is not surprising that the Sky finished the regular season with the second-worst offensive rating in the league. That needs to change if the Sky want to put together a better season in 2025.
There are several things the Sky need: 3-point shooting, playmaking, and players who can score at a high level. Letting the only player who averaged over 15 points a game walk in free agency does not seem like the greatest approach to that problem unless the Sky have no doubt that they can land another high-level scorer.
1. Replacing Carter’s production while also improving the offense would not be easy
Even if the Sky re-signed Carter, they would have to sign or trade for players who can help them improve offensively. Looking for reliable 3-point shooters should be one priority. Unless Angel Reese’s 3-point shot is much improved, the Sky will need as many players as possible to space the floor around Reese and Cardoso. Carter does not help with that since she has not been a threat from behind the arc during her WNBA career.
But, if the Sky do not re-sign Carter, they will have to find those role players as well as someone to replace her production. Otherwise, they won’t be able to take a step forward offensively.
Chicago is not necessarily one of the top free-agency destinations in the league right now and might not attract one of the bigger free agents available. They do, however, have the assets available to make a trade for Satou Sabally, Jewell Loyd, or Kelsey Plum. Most likely, trading for an All-Star-level player would require the Sky to move the third overall pick in this year’s draft. For a young team still looking for players to develop, that would be a steep price to pay.
Unless the Sky are willing to make a big move already, replacing Carter’s production while also adding the other pieces necessary to improve offensively will be difficult.