WNBA Free Agency: Chicago Sky GM's plans to build around Angel Reese revealed

The Chicago Sky will be putting all their chips now on star forward Angel Reese after a stellar season. As the free agency starts to heat up for the WNBA teams, the Sky aims to pick up pieces that would fit well with Reese. The rookie was named an All-Star last year after being picked seventh overall in the 2024 draft.

In a report by Annie Costabile of the 'Chicago Sun Times,' Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca will now be tailoring the roster to fit with Reese. He will start by cutting those who were deemed unfit in a system that fits the Bayou Barbie.

The report said that the GM is looking to have a veteran guard running the point for the Sky next season, alongside a serviceable two-way wing player to optimize the roster with Reese as the focal point.

“Filling out the Sky’s backcourt with an experienced point guard and a two-way player on the wing is Pagliocca’s top priority. Landing the right players could prove challenging for the second-year GM via free agency,” the report reads.

Costabile also indicated that the team can only do this via trade as the franchise may find a hard time landing a top free agent that fills their needs this offseason.

“Pagliocca’s strongest path forward could be packaging draft assets and landing the right players via a trade,” she wrote.

“Pagliocca has, in past press conferences, made clear that while roster decisions will ultimately be his to make, he plans to collaborate with new coach Tyler Marsh and Sky ownership.”

The team has already cut guard Chennedy Carter, who led the team in scoring last season with 17.5 points per game. There were also offers made for guard Dana Evans, forward Michaela Onyenwere and reserved player Nikolina Milic.

The Sky made a significant change to their team early in the WNBA offseason. They hired new coach Tyler Marsh to replace Terese Weatherspoon, who coached the team last season to a 13-27 record, missing the playoffs in the process.

How good was Angel Reese as a rookie?

Angel Reese had a phenomenal year as a rookie for the Sky. Reese averaged a double-double of 13.6 points, and 13.1 rebounds on top of 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

The Bayou Barbie also set new records in her first year as a pro, including the most consecutive double-doubles with 15 and most rebounds with 446. She also had the highest rebounds per game average with 13.1, and most consecutive games with 20 or more rebounds, with three.

Reese, however, finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting just behind her rival Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever.

In her second season, Reese is expected to carry on her impressive play as the Sky aims to be a playoff team under their new coach.