Monday night awaits a spectacle. With the likes of Paige Bueckers, Aneesah Morrow, and Hailey Van Lith headlining the pool, there’s more than enough talent to go around. The kind of class that could alter a franchise’s trajectory. Just ask Chicago Sky’s GM, Jeff Pagliocca. “We want to keep adding athletes and length… This draft class has a lot of depth to it. We’re paying attention to everybody,” he said recently, teasing the team’s interest in what many are calling one of the most athletic draft classes in recent memory. But there’s a kicker.

While the rest of the league is setting up to build through this impressive rookie class, Chicago’s path is a little messier. And they’ve got no one to thank for that but themselves.

The roadblock started with a deal that shook the league’s transfer portal chatter. The Sky, looking to add some veteran firepower, had their sights set on Ariel Atkins—a defensive juggernaut and proven scorer who’s been a fixture in the Washington Mystics’ starting lineup since 2018. And to get her? Chicago handed over the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Not many were a board with the idea. It was the kind of pick that could land you a generational talent, after all.

“Teams that have an opportunity to win a championship do their work through free agency,” said analyst and WNBA legend Rebecca Lobo. “Teams that are rebuilding do their work through the draft.” That’s the exact tension in Chicago’s decision-making — this move signals that the Sky believe they’re not rebuilding. They’re ready to win now, and the GM has no regrets of spending the draft pick on the 28-year-old.

Averaging 14.9 points and 3.1 assists per game, a two-time All-Star, and one of the league’s most reliable two-way guards—Atkins checked every box the Sky were searching for. And even though she’s only under contract for one more season, Pagliocca made it clear this wasn’t just a gamble. It was a statement.

“The decision to try to go get Ariel Atkins was an Ariel Atkins decision,” Pagliocca said. “If anything, it shows just how much we’re dedicated and how much we believe in her that we were willing to move such a strong pick.”

And, in fairness to him, the draft pool has thinned out a bit. Since Chicago made that trade, several top-tier prospects have bowed out. Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles transferred to TCU. LSU’s Flaujae Johnson announced she wouldn’t be entering. UConn’s Azzi Fudd is running it back for one more season of college ball.

Miles, in particular, was viewed as a prime candidate for Chicago—possibly even the perfect complement to Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. But now? That scenario’s off the table. Instead, the Sky will roll into 2025 with a new look, a veteran presence, and still, a draft pick that might be more valuable than many think.

Thanks to a prior trade with the Indiana Fever, Chicago still has one bullet left in the chamber: the 10th overall pick. And Pagliocca isn’t sleeping on the possibilities.

Saniya Rivers is a name getting serious buzz in the Sky’s war room. “She’s maybe the best overall athlete in the draft, and she’s got a lot of length too,” Pagliocca said. “She’s proven that she can guard multiple positions, which always matters in our league.”

They want versatility, athleticism, and shooting. And they want it now. But, in between their dreams lies a question. Will Sky’s heart, Angel Reese return to court in May??

Angel Reese seems to be getting back on track

As the 2025 WNBA season inches closer, teams across the league are ramping up for training camp. For the Chicago Sky, all eyes are on one name—Angel Reese. The 22-year-old was ruled out during the final week of Unrivaled after re-injuring the very hand that had abruptly ended her rookie season. But there seems to have been an improvement on the front.

Earlier this week, Reese was seen training with skills coach Iren Rainey—known for working with both NBA and WNBA talent. Rainey posted an Instagram story showing Reese getting shots up, captioning it:
“BACK AT IT W/THE @UNRIVALEDBASKETBALL CHAMP @ANGELREESE5.” Reese also shared the clip on her own story, and one thing stood out immediately—no hand brace.

Chicago Bulls and Sky beat writer Julia Poe took to X to confirm what fans were already hoping: “Angel Reese back in the gym and out of that hand brace today.” Now, that’s the kind of update Sky fans were waiting for.