Sky’s free-agency path runs through the next tier, not the stars

Now that the WNBA’s new collective-bargaining agreement has been ratified, teams can finally start building their rosters.

During a hectic couple of weeks in April, the Sky will attempt to add talent around returners Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso and Courtney Vandersloot.

Broadcaster Ryan Ruocco is calling it a “women’s basketball cyclone” of activity.

A key component of that cyclone is free agency. Every veteran but two is available to be signed, and the Sky need help at almost every position. They need a point guard to play behind Vandersloot. They need an athletic wing to bolster their defense.

What would really break things open, though, is signing a top-of-the-line, drop-20-a-game kind of shooting guard.

That guard could be the closer when they need a bucket late in games.

That guard would draw attention away from Reese and Cardoso.

That guard would help them play at a faster pace.

It’s rare to see this many players of that nature on the market.

There are the purest examples of this archetype: Jackie Young and Allisha Gray.

There are the Kelseys: Mitchell and Plum.

And the long-range assassins: Sabrina Ionescu and Arike Ogunbowale.

So what kind of pitch could the Sky — coming off two losing seasons — make to woo a star like this?

Let’s start with Jackie Young.

Chicago would represent a return to the Midwest, where Young is from, and a reunion with her former coach, Tyler Marsh. The two bonded in Las Vegas, where Marsh helped transform Young’s 3-point shooting as an assistant on Becky Hammon’s staff.

At a recent USA Basketball training camp, Young told the Sun-Times the two still keep in touch.

But she stopped short of revealing whether she’d like to play for him again.

“That’s my guy,” she said, laughing. “That’s all I’ll say.”

Go ahead, Sky fans. Take a minute to enjoy the fantasy. All those dimes Young could receive from Sloot, all the transition takes and tough shots in the lane.

But then you have to let it go.

Because it would take a miracle for the Sky to pry Young away from Las Vegas, where she just won a championship and helped build a dynasty.

That’s the case with most players in this category: they’re either coming off a deep playoff run (Mitchell) or have expressed a commitment to their current team (Ionescu).

And the kicker is that if any of these players do want to leave, their current teams can still use the core designation to ensure they get a return. The only way to land a “cored” player would be through a sign-and-trade.

So the best opportunity on the market is with the secondary stars: free agents like Skylar Diggins, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams and Jordin Canada.

The problem is that the Sky still don’t have a clear path to contention. That’s a tough sell to players who will have their pick of 15 teams.

Where the Sky might be able to do damage is with the next tier of players. Call them bubble players — ones who could either start or come off the bench depending on the team.

Natisha Hiedeman, Ty Harris and Sami Whitcomb fit into this category.

The new CBA gives the Sky an opportunity here. Contending teams will now have to spend less on their depth, given that stars take up a larger share of the salary cap.

That opens the door for the Sky to lure these bubble players away. They can offer something the superteams can’t: a fat paycheck and a starting role.

Loading up on bubble players could help create a much better supporting cast around Reese, Cardoso and Vandersloot than they had last year.

This would make the team easier on the eyes. Maybe even lift them a few spots in the standings. But they’d still need to add a star to become a real postseason threat.

Where does two-time All-Star Ariel Atkins fit?

The Sky’s best guard last season was Ariel Atkins. She averaged 13.1 points and 3.6 assists per game but never looked fully comfortable as the primary scoring option.

She also didn’t play as well as the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft, instant All-Star Sonia Citron. The Sky traded that pick for Atkins, who was on a one-year deal and has not indicated whether she wants to return.

For good reason, the trade caused almost as much anxiety among fans as when the Sky gave up a truckload of draft capital for guard Marina Mabrey in 2023.

The saving grace here is the core tag. If Atkins decides to leave, the Sky can core her to ensure they get some draft capital back in a sign-and-trade.

Just don’t expect a full refund (i.e., the No. 3 pick in the 2026 draft), given that the Sky likely overpaid in the first place.