The Chicago Sky, one of the most promising teams in the WNBA, had a disappointing season in 2020. With a record of 12-10, they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. This was a major setback for a team that had made it to the playoffs for four consecutive years. However, instead of dwelling on their past failures, the Sky have taken a proactive approach to turn things around for the upcoming season.
The team’s first step towards redemption was to address the issues within the organization. Angel Reese, the team’s owner, publicly called out the front office and the players for their lackluster performance. She made it clear that the team needed to acquire good and great players in order to compete at the highest level. This statement was a wake-up call for the Sky, and they wasted no time in making strategic moves to improve their roster.
One of the biggest challenges for the Sky was the upcoming expansion draft for the new team, the Seattle Storm. This meant that the Sky had to protect a limited number of players, leaving some of their key players vulnerable to being drafted by the Storm. However, the Sky managed to dodge this potential shake-up by making early deals with other teams.
The first major move made by the Sky was acquiring All-Star guard, Courtney Vandersloot, from the Las Vegas Aces. Vandersloot, who led the league in assists for the past three seasons, will bring much-needed experience and leadership to the Sky’s backcourt. This move not only strengthens the Sky’s roster but also weakens their opponents, the Aces.
The Sky also made a trade with the Dallas Wings, acquiring All-Star forward, Azura Stevens. Stevens, who was the sixth overall pick in the 2018 draft, has shown great potential in her first two seasons in the league. She will add depth to the Sky’s frontcourt and provide a much-needed scoring threat alongside All-Star center, Stefanie Dolson.
In addition to these trades, the Sky also re-signed key players such as Diamond DeShields, Allie Quigley, and Kahleah Copper. DeShields, who was the team’s leading scorer in 2020, will continue to be a vital part of the Sky’s offense. Quigley, a three-point specialist, will provide valuable shooting off the bench. Copper, who had a breakout season last year, will look to build on her success and become a consistent contributor for the Sky.
The Sky’s front office has also been proactive in the free agency market, signing veteran guard, Sydney Colson, and forward, Candice Dupree. Colson, a two-time WNBA champion, will bring championship experience and a defensive presence to the Sky’s backcourt. Dupree, a seven-time All-Star, will provide leadership and scoring in the frontcourt.
With these early deals, the Sky have managed to secure their core players and strengthen their roster for the upcoming season. This strategic approach has not only helped them avoid any potential losses in the expansion draft but has also put them in a strong position to compete for a championship.
The Sky’s head coach and general manager, James Wade, has expressed his excitement for the upcoming season and the new additions to the team. He believes that the Sky now have a well-balanced roster with a mix of experienced veterans and young talent. He also stated that the team’s goal is to win a championship, and they will do whatever it takes to achieve that.
The Sky’s fans have also shown their support and excitement for the upcoming season. After a disappointing year, they are eager to see their team bounce back and compete at the highest level. With the new additions to the team, the Sky have given their fans a reason to be optimistic and believe that this could be their year.
In conclusion, the Chicago Sky have made strategic moves early on to avoid any potential shake-up in the expansion draft and strengthen their roster for the upcoming season. With a mix of experienced veterans and young talent, the Sky are determined to compete for a championship. The fans are eagerly waiting to see their team back in action and are hopeful that this could be the year the Sky bring home the WNBA title. Let’s go Sky!