How close are the Chicago Sky to ending their recent rebuild?
The Sky seemed to try to take giant leaps closer to playoff contention when they went all-in on adding veterans in the 2025 offseason with the additions of veteran guards through trades or free agency signings. Chicago added guard Ariel Atkins, a 2-time All-Star for the Washington Mystics, in exchange for an assortment of draft picks. It brought in a franchise legend in guard Courtney Vandersloot, which solidified its starting backcourt for its upcoming 2025 campaign with two veteran starters.
Chicago continued to add to their potential options when they signed a familiar face in forward Morgan Bertsch, who suited up in 28 games for the Sky in 2023, on a training camp contract on Monday. The former UC-Davis forward joined guards Arella Guirantes and Alex Wilson, two veteran guards with plenty of overseas experience. Last season, the Sky retained two of their three training camp signees in guards Chennedy Carter and Kysre Gondrezick on their opening day roster. Carter went on to lead the squad in points per game with 17.5.
Chicago's young bigs in All-Star forward Angel Reese and center Kamilla Cardoso have shown they may be primed to take the next leap forward in their respective roles this offseason. Cardoso, who has proven to be a superstar in the Women's Chinese Basketball Association, has been dominating for the Shanghai Swordfish in her first WCBA playoff run. Reese has shown plenty of signs of improvement in her shooting discipline and efficiency for the Rose Basketball Club in Unrivaled.
A No. 1 Scorer
While they won't solve every one of the Sky's biggest needs, every one of their newest guard additions can be valuable in the growth of their budding big duo in Reese and Cardoso.
Guards Rebecca Allen and Kia Nurse can fill out a backcourt in need of shooting help. Vandersloot can be a much-needed facilitator and veteran guard who can only enhance the game of Cardoso. Atkins, a record-holding 3-point shooter for the Mystics, can be a knock-down shooter and reliable defender who can up the Sky's long-range attack. Allen and Nurse bring some extra size at the shooting guard as they both stand at 6 feet or above.
Every one of their newest guards can bring plenty to the table. Still, the Sky can still use a No. 1 scoring option before they take to their 2025 schedule in May.
Chicago was able to rely on the scoring of Carter during the 2024 season, but still needed a boost after their offense took 11th place in the WNBA with an average of 77.4 points per game. It still may have to add players who can take on a larger scoring load after losing guards Kahleah Copper and Marina Mabrey a year before. Adding a reliable scorer at the three who can compliment their revamped starting lineup can do wonders in pushing them closer to playoff contention for the first time in two seasons.