The Sky have a lot to focus on as the 2025 WNBA season comes into focus in May. The team is still in a rebuilding era, and adding Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso last season has done a lot to inch the Sky closer to a legitimate playoff run.
But there have also been stumbles and mistakes along the way, and there are some 2024 stalwarts, like Chennedy Carter, who aren't returning to the team.
If there is one person who is aware of all the potential pitfalls the 2025 season holds for the Sky, it's GM Jeff Pagliocca. Fans are pretty split on whether or not Pagliocca's position at the franchise is secure, and it seems like for most it comes down to one thing: if the Sky make the playoffs this season, he should be okay. If not... well, time might be ticking. Maybe.
Jeff Pagliocca is likely okay no matter what happen in 2025
As much as some fans might not want to hear it, it's frankly unlikely the Sky would remove their GM without significant errors on his part ahead of 2026 free agency that will be coupled with a new CBA. Doing so would reflect a lot of instability that players might not be comfortable with, especially since the Sky fired Teresa Weatherspoon after the 2024 season and traded for Ariel Atkins, a move that some continue to question.
Pagliocca is also responsible for bringing in two of the team's brightest stars, Reese and Cardoso, a move that was popular across the board. Both have proven to be strong assets on and off the court for the Sky and have continued to develop in the off-season (Reese in Unrivaled and Cardoso in China).
But... if there's one thing we know about the WNBA, it's never say never.
Weak spots that could threaten Jeff Pagliocca's job
If there are any threats to Pagliocca's role as GM, it might come down to his decisions to a) allow Marina Mabrey to leave the Sky, and b) to trade away the Sky's shots at top draftees for the next three years. Of course, it's important to note that a good team isn't built on draft lottery picks, and Pagliocca isn't new to the gig; he knows what he's doing.
Pagliocca's high risk offseason moves are very likely to result in major gains for the GM or or major losses. As ever, what will be will be — and it's up to the Sky fr to make a call if they have to.