The Chicago Sky are eager to build a contender around Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. This offseason, they took the first step toward improving the team, adding veterans Courtney Vandersloot, Ariel Atkins, Kia Nurse, and Rebecca Allen.
Two things the Sky desperately need to improve compared to the 2024 season are 3-point shooting and playmaking. The Sky ranked ninth in 3-point shooting percentage and eleventh in assists per game.
At least the playmaking shouldn’t be as much of a problem in the 2025 season.
The Sky should be able to drastically increase their assist numbers
Last season, the Chicago Sky had one of the worst offensive ratings in the league. Their lack of 3-point shooting and playmaking was a big reason for that. The Sky relied heavily on Chennedy Carter and Angel Reese to create their own shots rather than moving the ball a lot. They averaged only 19 assists per game.
That should look much different this season. The Sky may have lost all of their top playmakers from the 2024 season—Marina Mabrey, Lindsay Allen, and Chennedy Carter—but they added players who can do even better.
Courtney Vandersloot is one of the best playmakers in the WNBA, averaging 6.6 assists per game over her career. In the 2023 season, before her role with the Liberty changed, she averaged 8.1 assists per game on one of the best teams in the league. Her playmaking has already been on full display in preseason, particularly in the two-man game with Kamilla Cardoso.
Ariel Atkins is also a capable playmaker, averaging a career-high 3.1 assists per game last season, and rookie Hailey Van Lith will add further playmaking off the bench. Van Lith dished out five assists in both of the Sky’s preseason games despite playing less than 20 minutes in both games.
This new-look Chicago Sky roster should not lack any playmaking anymore and should be able to drastically improve its assist numbers compared to last season.
Playmaking will be the key to the Sky’s offensive improvement
The Sky evidently want to build around Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. Making that duo work will require a lot of floor spacing and playmaking around them.
The easiest way to put two young bigs into a position to be their best selves is to give them players who can get the ball to them in the right spots and reward them for doing all the little things, like setting good screens and running the floor.
Moving the ball and getting Reese and Cardoso easy shots will be one key to improving the Sky’s offense.