The state of the Sky is challenging to define.
Rather, there seems to be some confusion defining the terms used to describe where the Sky stand.
Rebuild.
Contender.
Disaster.
These are all words being thrown around. If the word rebuild is used, it’s important to note they are not in the same place as the Mystics or the Sun. When using contender, keep in mind it’s referring to playoff contention. Characterizing them as a disaster hinges on the unfolding of general manager Jeff Pagliocca’s recent trade of the No. 3 overall pick in exchange for two-time All-Star, Olympic gold medalist and one of the league’s best two-way guards, Ariel Atkins.
Skeptics believe it was a desperate move with long-term implications for the Sky. History says something different.
The Sky’s recent history highlights they haven’t been a franchise to build through the draft. A brief review of former coach/GM James Wade’s tenure was a master class on making bold trades and substantial free agent signings to maintain a competitive edge, all while piecing together a title contender. The Sky drafted Diamond DeShields and Gabby Williams in the 2018 draft before Wade even arrived and they served as the franchise’s developmental pieces. Wade drafted Katie Lou Samuelson the following year, which many called a failure, considering Napheesa Collier and Arike Ogunbowale were both still available.
In 2020, he shopped Samuelson and acquired Azurá Stevens, who served as the reliable backup to Candace Parker during the Sky’s title year. Collier ended up with the Lynx and Ogunbowale with the Wings, and the Sky ended up with the only title of the three teams since that draft.
The point: Pagliocca appears to be taking a page out of Wade’s playbook.
Let’s start with Pagliocca’s first draft.
He was forced to trade franchise star Kahleah Copper and, out of it, got a number of draft assets, including the No. 3 pick, which he used to select Kamilla Cardoso. Pagliocca acquired the No. 8 pick in a trade with the Sparks for guard Julie Allemand and center Li Yueru, which he then flipped for the No. 7 pick from the Lynx the day of the draft and used it to select Angel Reese.
Since selecting the Sky’s two cornerstone pieces, Pagliocca has gone full steam ahead on building outside of the draft, all while stocking up on assets he can package to acquire the veterans needed to win now.
Despite giving up the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft, a first-round pick swap in the 2027 draft and a 2027 second-round pick to the Mystics, the Sky are still sitting on a pile of draft stock. Over the next three drafts, the Sky have four first-round picks, including a pick swap with the Sun in 2026, likely amounting to a lottery pick, and four second-round picks.
The 2027 first-round pick-swap only hurts the Sky if they are a worse team over the next two seasons than the Mystics. In this case, Pagliocca should be fired. Considering the state of the Mystics, it’s not just unlikely; it would take gross incompetence even to be plausible.
Signing future hall-of-fame point guard Courtney Vandersloot was the Sky’s first step in turning the corner of their rebuild. Vandersloot, who received interest from several other teams including the Storm, would not have signed with the Sky if she didn’t believe they would be competitive in 2025.
The reason the Sky are so concerned with winning now versus investing two more years in rebuilding is because of what they believe is possible in 2026.
The league is expected to have a new collective bargaining agreement ratified before 2026, which will set an unprecedented free-agency period in motion. The Sky’s new practice facility, being built in partnership with the Village of Bedford Park, will open ahead of the 2026 season, providing an added selling point to free agents to go along with highly touted coach Tyler Marsh.
The new CBA could change age restrictions for draft-eligible players, impacting the 2026 WNBA draft. Atkins is currently core eligible in 2026, but rules regarding the core tag are also expected to be on the bargaining table.
While there is no denying the risk associated with Pagliocca’s trade for Atkins, the reward could be even more substantial if the Sky win this season and he executes in free agency next year. Regardless, Pagliocca has demonstrated his disinterest in building through the draft, and Sky history serves as supporting evidence.