Efficiency is the offseason focus for the Sky's rookie tandem
The future success of the Sky centers around front-court tandem Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso.
Cardoso and Reese displayed their varying potential to be dominant bigs in this league in their rookie seasons. However, that dominance is contingent upon their continued development and the Sky's ability to put them in a position to succeed, starting with taking another step in their roster construction.
"I don't doubt that [general manager] Jeff [Pagliocca] and [coach Teresa Weatherspoon] are going to bring the right pieces around," Reese said in her exit interview on September 24. "I'm continuing to look at that and do what I can because I'm a good GM on the low."
Jokes aside, Reese has made evident her willingness to recruit players. Following the gold medal game between the U.S. and France, Reese took to social media to engage with unrestricted free agent Gabby Williams.
The problem: Williams had no interest in rejoining a franchise she felt slighted by. In 2021, former coach/GM James Wade suspended Williams for the entire season after she committed to playing for France in EuroBasket and the Tokyo Olympics.
This offseason, Pagliocca's targets start and end in the backcourt.
One of the Sky's most glaring issues was their three-point shooting and entry passes into the post. As the season progressed, Cardoso's efficiency improved exponentially. However, the Sky's poor execution exacerbated the learning curve. The Sky were eighth in the league in turnovers, averaging 14.3 per game.
Reese and Cardoso both got detailed when describing how they plan to improve their game this offseason. For Cardoso, it starts with her finishing around the rim. She finished the season shooting 55.2% in the restricted area. Adding a midrange game was another priority for Cardoso, who will compete in the Women's Chinese Basketball Association this offseason.
Reese's desires were similar. She was the least efficient player in the WNBA around the rim, shooting 44.5% in the restricted area and 11.1% between five and nine feet from the basket. Her offseason priorities include improving her footwork, finishing through contact and expanding her shot profile.
The last is necessary for the Sky's "skyscrapers" to continue developing successfully. Spacing issues contributed significantly to the Sky's stagnant offense.
A fractured left wrist ended Reese's historic rookie season prematurely. She's been in a removable brace for about two weeks, which she expects to be rid of by October 8. Upon ditching the brace, Reese will begin physical therapy on her left wrist.
Reese's return to basketball will come in January in the inaugural season of Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 league founded by two-time MVP Breanna Stewart and two-time Olympic gold medalist Napheesa Collier. The first season includes former Sky players Kahleah Copper and Courtney Vandersloot. Sparks forward Rickea Jackson is currently the only other member of the 2024 rookie class with an Unrivaled contract.
The Sky have guards Lindsay Allen, Moriah Jefferson and Rachel Banham under contract through the 2025 season. Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell will be one of the Sky's top targets in free agency.
Reese is already fielding calls as the Sky's unofficial assistant GM.
"Obviously, players reach out and say they would love to play with me," Reese said. "I just let him know and he does what he does with it."