{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreiajlxsfucg6jgag3iraumvyyhsclfviujnfitjjmuca4bd7y4742m",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:ha7wpngv4f2qwrk5hta4ktbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhyhonk7tn52"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreifptt6f55x7hz75xlkvqm5gx6l7baq7lxdm4r5b35cknmulh6yb2y"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 251055
  },
  "path": "/chicago-sky/2026/03/26/skys-free-agency-path-runs-through-the-next-tier-not-the-stars",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-26T18:40:02.428Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>Now that the WNBA’s <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/wnba/2026/03/18/finally-a-deal-wnba-and-players-reach-cba-agreement\" >new collective-bargaining agreement</a> has been ratified, teams can finally start building their rosters.</p><p>During a hectic couple of weeks in April, the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky\" target=\"_blank\" >Sky</a> will attempt to add talent around returners Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso and Courtney Vandersloot.</p><p>Broadcaster Ryan Ruocco is calling it a “women’s basketball cyclone” of activity.</p><p>A key component of that cyclone is <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/wnba/2026/03/24/wnba-owners-ratify-collective-bargaining-agreement-draft-free-agency\" >free agency</a>. 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.</p><p>What would really break things open, though, is signing a top-of-the-line, drop-20-a-game kind of shooting guard.</p><p>That guard could be the closer when they need a bucket late in games.</p><p>That guard would draw attention away from Reese and Cardoso.</p><p>That guard would help them play at a faster pace.</p><p>It’s rare to see this many players of that nature on the market.</p><p>There are the purest examples of this archetype: Jackie Young and Allisha Gray.</p><p>There are the Kelseys: Mitchell and Plum.</p><p>And the long-range assassins: Sabrina Ionescu and Arike Ogunbowale.</p><p>So what kind of pitch could the Sky — coming off two losing seasons — make to woo a star like this?</p><p>Let’s start with Jackie Young.</p><p>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.</p><p>At a recent USA Basketball training camp, Young told the Sun-Times the two still keep in touch.</p><p>But she stopped short of revealing whether she’d like to play for him again.</p><p>“That’s my guy,” she said, laughing. “That’s all I’ll say.”</p><p>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.</p><p>But then you have to let it go.</p><p>Because it would take a miracle for the Sky to pry Young away from Las Vegas, where she just won a championship and <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/wnba/2025/10/11/the-wnba-season-ends-with-aja-wilsons-tambourine-and-the-commissioner-walking-the-plank\" >helped build a dynasty.</a></p><p>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).</p><p>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.</p><p>So the best opportunity on the market is with the secondary stars: free agents like Skylar Diggins, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams and Jordin Canada.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Natisha Hiedeman, Ty Harris and Sami Whitcomb fit into this category.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Loading up on bubble players could help create a much better supporting cast around Reese, Cardoso and Vandersloot than they had last year.</p><p>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.</p><h3><b>Where does two-time All-Star Ariel Atkins fit?</b></h3><p>The Sky’s best guard last season was Ariel Atkins. She averaged 13.1 points and 3.6 assists per game but <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2025/06/17/ariel-atkins-still-struggling-to-go-alpha-mode-in-skys-loss-to-the-mystics\" >never looked fully comfortable as the primary scoring option.</a></p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p></p><p></p><bsp-list-loadmore class=\"PageListH\" data-module data-hide-authors=\"true\" data-hide-categories=\"true\" data-hide-dates=\"true\" data-show-loadmore=\"true\" ><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"list-010001\" name=\"list-010001\"></a><div class=\"PageList-header\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title-wrap\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title\"> Latest on the Sky and WNBA </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items\" data-with-borders data-list-loadmore-items> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Race to WNBA season starts as owners ratify 7-year collective-bargaining agreement\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/wnba/2026/03/24/wnba-owners-ratify-collective-bargaining-agreement-draft-free-agency\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a293118/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4785x3203+19+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe4%2F70%2Fe14f62d043049f4d7cf592d7fff0%2Fap26077285258266.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/355803b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4785x3203+19+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe4%2F70%2Fe14f62d043049f4d7cf592d7fff0%2Fap26077285258266.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, shown in a 2025 file photo, speaks prior to Game 1 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series between the Las Vegas Aces and the Phoenix Mercury, Oct. 3, 2025, in Las Vegas.\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/355803b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4785x3203+19+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe4%2F70%2Fe14f62d043049f4d7cf592d7fff0%2Fap26077285258266.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/wnba\" >WNBA</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/wnba/2026/03/24/wnba-owners-ratify-collective-bargaining-agreement-draft-free-agency\" >Race to WNBA season starts as owners ratify 7-year collective-bargaining agreement</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">First up is an expansion draft for the two new teams — Toronto and Portland. Then it’s free agency and the college draft. The season begins May 8.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1774382793000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/associated-press\" >AP </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"271\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"WNBA players legitimize women's pro basketball with groundbreaking CBA\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/wnba/2026/03/21/wnba-players-union-cba-nneka-ogwumike-salary-revenue-share\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/af3b800/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3984x2667+16+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F10%2Ff0%2Fc37b91d04e8dae2866dfaf2c0180%2F2231026873.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a6a77c6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3984x2667+16+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F10%2Ff0%2Fc37b91d04e8dae2866dfaf2c0180%2F2231026873.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Seattle Storm v Chicago Sky\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a6a77c6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3984x2667+16+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F10%2Ff0%2Fc37b91d04e8dae2866dfaf2c0180%2F2231026873.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/wnba\" >WNBA</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/wnba/2026/03/21/wnba-players-union-cba-nneka-ogwumike-salary-revenue-share\" >WNBA players legitimize women's pro basketball with groundbreaking CBA</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">The takeaway should not be the results but what was done to get the results. The fight, the stance, the demands, the resilience, the belief. The way.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1774094400000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/scoop-jackson\" >Scoop Jackson </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"810\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"WNBA's new collective-bargaining agreement doesn't drown out the dismissive undertones\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/wnba/2026/03/20/the-new-wnba-cba-agreement-doesnt-drown-out-the-dismissive-undertones\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/457d9a2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5057x3385+20+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0f%2F4a%2F37ec68e74d848098b06a4c9852be%2Fadam-and-caitlin.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f314938/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5057x3385+20+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0f%2F4a%2F37ec68e74d848098b06a4c9852be%2Fadam-and-caitlin.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"2025 NBA Finals - Game Three\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f314938/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5057x3385+20+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0f%2F4a%2F37ec68e74d848098b06a4c9852be%2Fadam-and-caitlin.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/wnba\" >WNBA</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/wnba/2026/03/20/the-new-wnba-cba-agreement-doesnt-drown-out-the-dismissive-undertones\" >WNBA's new collective-bargaining agreement doesn't drown out the dismissive undertones</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">The league has defied the low expectations set by the NBA. Yet a paternalistic attitude toward WNBA players lingers.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1774022085000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/alissa-hirsh\" >Alissa Hirsh </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"621\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageList-footer\"> </div> </bsp-list-loadmore><p></p>",
  "title": "Sky’s free-agency path runs through the next tier, not the stars",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-26T20:24:51.690Z"
}