Chennedy Carter has been dominating overseas, putting up stats that demand attention. But despite her standout performance, the Chicago Sky hasn’t made an offer—leaving her future with the team hanging by a thread. Now, with the clock ticking down, Carter faces a shocking final ultimatum. Will her overseas success secure her spot in Chicago, or is this the beginning of a new chapter elsewhere? The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the next move could change everything.

In a tweet by Chicago Sky beat reporter, Annie Costabile, the news was highlighted, “No qualifying offer for Chennedy Carter means she will be free to test the market as an unrestricted free agent beginning tomorrow.” Despite a standout 2024 season, where she averaged 17.5 points per game and led the Chicago Sky in scoring, Carter finds herself on the move after the Sky chose not to extend a qualifying offer by the deadline.

Multiple league sources point to locker room issues as a factor in the decision. With new staff and roster changes in the works, Sky GM Jeff Pagliocca explained, “We’ve made changes to our staff and will make changes to our roster. Those changes impact Chennedy’s fit on the team, so we wanted to give her the best opportunity as a free agent.”

Carter’s time with the Sky followed a tumultuous career, including a suspension with the Dream in 2021, a trade to the Sparks, and a return to the WNBA with the Sky in 2024. However, it wasn’t just her performance on the court but the dynamic in the locker room that raised concerns. Sources indicate that players were unhappy with the dynamic created last year due to Carter’s behavior, which was reportedly unchecked by former coach Teresa Weatherspoon.

With the Sky’s direction shifting, Pagliocca seems focused on building a team that can attract free agents, prioritizing backcourt improvements, and potentially packaging draft assets to land the right players through trades. Starting tomorrow, Carter will be a free agent, free to negotiate with any team.

Chennedy Carter’s impressive performances in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) with Wuhan Shengfan are adding significant value as she heads into free agency. Recently, she made headlines by recording her first triple-double of the season with 33 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game against Hefei. This remarkable achievement showcases her versatility and ability to impact the game in multiple ways, which has been a driving force behind Wuhan Shengfan’s success this season.

Carter’s exceptional play in China elevates her international profile and highlights her immense potential as an unrestricted free agent. With no qualifying offer from the Chicago Sky, Carter is now free to test the market starting tomorrow, and her consistent high-level performances are sure to attract attention from teams eager to strengthen their rosters. As she enters free agency, Chennedy Carter’s standout season abroad has only bolstered her standing as one of the most sought-after players on the market.

Chennedy Carter: The Sky’s bold call and free agency future

On January 13, the Chicago Sky made their qualifying offers for the 2025 season, extending contracts to Dana Evans, Michaela Onyenwere, and Nikolina Milić. However, one notable absence from this list was guard Chennedy Carter, despite her stellar performance in 2024 where she led the team in scoring with 17.5 points per game. Fans initially held onto hope, believing that the Sky was simply taking their time before the January 21 deadline. But now, with no offer for Carter, she is officially an unrestricted free agent, ready to test the waters of the open market.

This decision has left many puzzled, especially considering Carter’s high level of play last season. Chicago Sky GM addressed the situation in a statement, acknowledging Carter’s talent and contributions to the team. “Chennedy had an incredible season for us last year,” Pagliocca said. “She’s extremely talented and is a player that can impact the game at the highest level in our league. We absolutely appreciate all she did for our team last year. However, we’ve made changes to our staff and will make changes to our roster. Those changes impact Chennedy’s fit on the team, so we wanted to give her the best opportunity as a free agent.”

Even so, as mentioned above, the locker room concerns may have also played a role in the team’s hesitation to bring her back.

Now, as Carter enters free agency, it’s anyone’s guess where she’ll land. With her impressive scoring and versatility, many teams could see her as an asset to their roster. And for Carter, it’s an opportunity to find a fresh start in a new place.