Without bad luck, the Chicago Sky would be out of luck.
Chicago has found new and painful ways to drown itself in poverty. They brought in Angel Reese, which should have been the start of a new era. But with Chicago missing the playoffs the last two years and Reese denounce the organization for its lack of support that she has on the court, her future with the franchise and the future direction of Chicago are very much in question.
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To make matters worse, all the losses they suffered during the 2025 season did not improve their chances of landing the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Chicago traded rights to the Minnesota Lynx in the 2024 deal that allowed the Sky to draft Reese 7th overall before giving the Lynx sole ownership of their 2026 first-round pick to select Hailey Van Lith 11th overall in the 2025 draft. Fortunately, the Sky have the Connecticut Sun’s first-round pick, a byproduct of the 2924 mid-season trade by Marina Mabrey, and could still end up with the No. 1 selection in this year’s draft, with a 5.5% chance of winning the lottery on Sunday, Nov. 23 (6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
But would the No. 1 pick be enough to solve Chicago’s problems and satisfy Reese? Probably not. But with all the losses Sky has racked up, they need a win wherever they can get it, and with any of these prospects, a win could become possible for Chicago:
Lauren Betts (UCLA)
With virtually all WNBA veterans being unrestricted free agents while a new CBA is being negotiated, let’s assume Sky will need it all. Honestly, that might not even be an exaggeration.
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Enter Lauren Betts.
The UCLA big is a top prospect and would bolster the Sky’s frontcourt. Could this work with Reese and Kamilla Cardoso? Will it be an overlap of talents? Maybe. But again, if you can play a little, Sky need you a lot, so if they get the first pick, Betts has to be considered.
Olivia Miles (TCU)
Olivia Miles is an elite guard. She spent four years lighting things up at Notre Dame and now plays at TCU, hoping to finish her college career on a high note. She is averaging 17.5 points and 7.8 assists with the Horned Frogs, and many WNBA teams could use her services, including the Sky.
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Whether Reese is on Sky or not, Miles would be a superb addition to the team. If they have the opportunity to take her with the first pick, she might be the best and safest bet Chicago can make.
Flau’Jae Johnson (LSU)
If Flau’Jae Johnson reunited with Reese in Chicago, it might be too much flash and style to handle. But it wouldn’t just be a matter of style; Johnson has substance.
She is an electrifying perimeter player averaging 17.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. Adding her to this roster would be a huge injection of talent, and from day one, she would be a true starter and cornerstone of the franchise.
Things seem bad for Heaven, but luck can change in an instant.
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If they can make things right with Reese and win the lottery, then they can start to turn things around and start moving forward. If not, a rebuild may be necessary. For Chicago’s sake, let’s hope they win the lottery or end up with a pick that allows them to add yet another player who can help turn around their fortunes.
