If the Chicago Sky were going to be back in the discussion for the 2022 WNBA Championship, the Sky would need to bring some important pieces back who help the franchise win it’s first WNBA Championship during the 2021 season. As we learn in sports sometimes you aren’t able to bring everyone back especially if certain players want a certain amount of money. The Sky traded Diamond DeShields to the Phoenix Mercury that was part of a 3 team trade. The Sky get Julie Allemand and a 2023 1st round pick from Phoenix in return while the Indiana Fever get Bria Hartley, 2022 no. 7 pick (from CHI), 2022 no. 22 pick (from PHX), 2023 2nd round pick (from PHX). I liked DeShields but I don’t the Chicago Sky will miss her and I think she can be replaceable.
The Sky brought back 3 key pieces who each played a key role in the Sky winning their first WNBA Championship last season in Courtney Vandersloot who has been one of the games best point guards, Allie Quigley who can both be a starter and come off a bench while being a deadly shooter and the WNBA Finals MVP Kahleah Copper which was huge. Copper was huge for the Sky both during the regular season and throughout the playoffs. So glad these 3 players are back for the Sky along with the great Candace Parker as the Sky look to defend their WNBA Championship.
The Sky signed former Finals MVP in Emma Meesseman who won a WNBA Championship while with the Washington Mystics during the 2019 season. I really like Emma Meesseman who is very underrated and I think can be a great replacement for Stefanie Dolson who left for the NY Liberty. The Sky now have 3 Finals MVP’s on their roster in Candace Parker, Kahleah Copper and now Meesseman. Speaking of Emma she will reunite with new assistant coach Ann Wauters and Julie Allemand who they got in a trade from the Phoenix Mercury where all 3 of them were teammates together for the Belgian professional team. Ann was a former top WNBA Draft Pick in 2000 by the then Cleveland Rockers.
I also liked the Sky signing Kysre Gondrezick who was a former top 5 draft pick where I think she can provide great depth for the Chicago Sky. I think she wasn’t given much of an opportunity by the Indiana Fever and hopefully she can show her great potential for the Sky. The Sky also signed a local player in Kathleen Doyle who also played for the Indiana Fever who grew up in Hinsdale Illinois where she played in the Big 10 at Iowa, she can be a good wildcard for the Sky. I really liked what HC/GM James Wade has done so far in this off season for the Sky not only bringing key pieces back but bringing in some new pieces like Emma Meesseman among others. It may be tough to repeat in sports but if this Sky team can stay full healthy and have another productive season they can win it all for the second straight season.