The 2024 WNBA Draft was a big one for the Chicago Sky. They may not have had the number one pick, but they landed two of the top talents in the draft: Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese. The latter already established herself as an All-Star.
Now, the goal for the Chicago Sky is to put the right players around their young building blocks and build a winning team once again. 2024 marked the first time since 2018 that the Sky did not make the playoffs. They do not want to make that a habit.
So, they need to figure out the right pieces to complement Angel Reese. Trying to find those players may have the Sky longing for some familiar faces they wish they could bring back to Chicago.
3. Alanna Smith
It took Alanna Smith some time to find her footing in the WNBA, and she only played little in the four seasons before finding her way to Chicago. In 2023, Smith became a starter, played 26.5 minutes per game, and averaged 9.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks.
Nevertheless, Smith left Chicago in free agency, signing with the Minnesota Lynx. In Minnesota, she solidified her standing as a starting big in the WNBA, averaged career-highs in points, assists, steals, and blocks per game, as well as 3-point percentage, and emerged as one of the top defensive players in the league.
With her ability to protect the rim and space the floor, Smith would be the perfect frontcourt partner for Reese. She is still under contract with the Lynx, though, and likely won’t go anywhere given that her team just went to the WNBA Finals.
2. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton
The Chicago Sky need quality 3-and-D wings to put around Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton has dealt with her fair share of injuries over her career, but when healthy, she is one of the best two-way forwards in the league.
The Sky saw little of that when Laney-Hamilton began her WNBA career in 2015. She came to Chicago as a second-round pick and, like many late draft picks, did not play much at first. It wasn’t until 2020 that she emerged as an All-Star-level player.
During the Liberty’s title run this season, Laney-Hamilton averaged 11.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, shot over 40 percent from three, and often took on the toughest defensive assignments on the perimeter. Her skillset, combined with her championship experience, would make her a great fit next to Reese while the youngster continues to develop.
1. Azura Stevens
Azura Stevens was a part of the Sky’s championship team in 2021, averaging 7.4 points and 4.6 rebounds as a rotational player. Since then, she has moved on, joining the Los Angeles Sparks and playing with Cameron Brink, the second-overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
At 6’6”, Stevens is one of the taller players in the WNBA but she has a great all-around game and can space the floor as well. Stevens may not be a sharpshooter from behind the arc but she can punish defenses for not guarding her on the perimeter. Over her seven seasons in the WNBA she has shot 35 percent or better from long range three times already.
Her ability to do a little bit of everything as a big would make Stevens an interesting player to have coming off the bench in Chicago. Particularly her ability to hit some threes would allow the Sky to change their style of play and throw different frontcourt looks at opponents. Plus, her championship experience would be incredibly valuable on a young, rebuilding team like the Sky.