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"path": "/chicago-sky/2026/04/10/signing-day-preview-could-the-sky-actually-turn-it-around",
"publishedAt": "2026-04-10T20:47:41.072Z",
"site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
"textContent": "<p>The <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky\" >Sky</a> were supposed to be left for dead. No more Angel Reese, traded to Atlanta for future draft picks, and no clear path forward.</p><p>Just three players remain on their roster after the Reese deal — Kamilla Cardoso, Maddy Westbeld and Hailey Van Lith — none of them All-Stars.</p><p>But the rumor mill is whispering about a resurrection.</p><p>One report says seven-time <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://x.com/robertawbb\" target=\"_blank\" >All-Star Skylar Diggins is in talks with the Sky.</a></p><p>The Sun-Times has been <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/09/how-many-balloons-does-it-take-to-woo-a-star-and-the-skys-other-pressing-free-agency-questions\" >skeptical that Diggins will ultimately choose Chicago</a>, as the Sky have pursued her before without success. She's arguably the top point guard on the market and likely has other suitors willing to offer a max contract.</p><p>Why would a competitor like Diggins join a team coming off back-to-back losing seasons?</p><p>But maybe she sees something in Chicago. She did grow up in South Bend, Indiana, just 90 miles southeast of the city. </p><p>For Sky fans who've had a tough week, the report is worth a little hope.</p><p>Landing Diggins could reshape the team's entire outlook. She averaged 15.5 points and 6 assists last season — a premier point guard who can elevate her teammates and close games herself. She is also a recognizable star, the kind Chicago rarely lands in free agency.</p><p>The Sky are also <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/09/sky-reportedly-in-talks-to-trade-ariel-atkins-for-rickea-jackson\" >reportedly in talks with the Sparks to trade guard Ariel Atkins for Rickea Jackson</a>, a dynamic scorer and the No. 4 pick in the 2024 draft.</p><p>If both moves come together, it gives the franchise a sense of direction. Suddenly there's a Diggins-Jackson-Cardoso trio to build around. If the Sky retain their No. 5 pick and draft well, that's even more momentum.</p><p>None of it will erase the loss of Reese. That trade will reverberate for years — because of her connection to fans, because of the draft capital the Sky surrendered to get her, because of what it says about the franchise's ability to develop and retain young stars.</p><p>It also doesn't fully resolve their long-term future, particularly at point guard. Diggins is 35, and Courtney Vandersloot is 37.</p><p>While many star signings were reported around the league Friday, the only Sky news was that backup center Elizabeth Williams will sign a two-year deal with the team. </p><p>Saturday is the first day free agents can ink their contracts after an extremely condensed negotiating period — and it should be more revealing.</p><p>For the Sky, consider it judgment day.</p><h3>Dream free agency update</h3><p>Meanwhile, in Atlanta, the Dream are locking down their core. Per ESPN, All-WNBA guard Allisha Gray is signing a three-year deal with the team.</p><p>They are also bringing back four-time All-Star Brionna Jones on a multi-year deal and Sixth Player of the Year Naz Hillmon on a three-year deal. Both will be Reese's partners in the frontcourt.</p><p>If the Dream also retain guards Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada, they'll be poised to continue their rise. The team jumped from the middle of the pack in 2023 and 2024 to a second-place regular season finish last season. Reese could help push them over the top. </p><h3><b>Recent announcements and reports from around the league</b></h3><p>• Kelsey Mitchell returns to the Fever</p><p>• Arike Ogunbowale returns to the Wings</p><p>• Brittney Sykes to sign with the Tempo</p><p>• Nneka Ogwumike to sign with the Sparks</p><p>• Jackie Young returns to the Aces</p><p>• Alyssa Thomas returns to the Mercury</p><p>• Natisha Hiedeman to sign with the Storm</p><p>• Jewell Loyd returns to the Aces</p><p>• Satou Sabally is leaving the Mercury</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=\"Angel Reese after trade: 'I just feel that urge right now that I'm going to win again'\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/09/angel-reese-after-trade-i-just-feel-that-urge-right-now-that-im-going-to-win-again\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4abd2c8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3302x2210+0+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F74%2F26%2F1d24591443d28852a0155aff548c%2Freese-vs.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/c5760ad/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3302x2210+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F74%2F26%2F1d24591443d28852a0155aff548c%2Freese-vs.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Angel Reese Celebrates Her Campaign With Victoria's Secret\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c5760ad/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3302x2210+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F74%2F26%2F1d24591443d28852a0155aff548c%2Freese-vs.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/chicago-sky\" >Sky</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/09/angel-reese-after-trade-i-just-feel-that-urge-right-now-that-im-going-to-win-again\" >Angel Reese after trade: 'I just feel that urge right now that I'm going to win again'</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">Reese compared being traded to the Dream to her college transfer experience. After transferring from Maryland, she led LSU to the national championship in 2023.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1775772666000 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=\"292\"></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=\"How many balloons does it take to woo a star? And the Sky's other pressing free-agency questions\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/09/how-many-balloons-does-it-take-to-woo-a-star-and-the-skys-other-pressing-free-agency-questions\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5982547/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3122x2090+0+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F95%2Fb1%2Fc543ecbd4f15b999d03340dee628%2Fdiggins-yelling.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/2c38d27/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3122x2090+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F95%2Fb1%2Fc543ecbd4f15b999d03340dee628%2Fdiggins-yelling.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/2c38d27/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3122x2090+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F95%2Fb1%2Fc543ecbd4f15b999d03340dee628%2Fdiggins-yelling.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/chicago-sky\" >Sky</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/09/how-many-balloons-does-it-take-to-woo-a-star-and-the-skys-other-pressing-free-agency-questions\" >How many balloons does it take to woo a star? And the Sky's other pressing free-agency questions</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">Part of the plan has always been to reach for the stars in free agency. It just depends whether money is enough to motivate one.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1775763253000 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=\"637\"></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=\"Sky reportedly in talks to trade Ariel Atkins for Rickea Jackson\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/09/sky-reportedly-in-talks-to-trade-ariel-atkins-for-rickea-jackson\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/569c3e0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3345x2239+0+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fbb%2Fb7%2F9258f8044c5f9f7866bac19c9fc3%2Fjackson-driving.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/d8d67d7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3345x2239+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fbb%2Fb7%2F9258f8044c5f9f7866bac19c9fc3%2Fjackson-driving.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Chicago Sky v Los Angeles Sparks\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d8d67d7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3345x2239+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fbb%2Fb7%2F9258f8044c5f9f7866bac19c9fc3%2Fjackson-driving.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/chicago-sky\" >Sky</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/09/sky-reportedly-in-talks-to-trade-ariel-atkins-for-rickea-jackson\" >Sky reportedly in talks to trade Ariel Atkins for Rickea Jackson</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">If the report from Front Office Sports holds, the Sky would add another young building block to a team that sorely needs scoring and star potential. But they would lose a two-time All-Star, and potentially more, depending on how the deal shakes out.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1775757161000 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=\"512\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageList-footer\"> </div> </bsp-list-loadmore><p></p>",
"title": "Signing day preview: Could the Sky actually turn it around?",
"updatedAt": "2026-04-10T21:10:19.401Z"
}