Angel Reese’s second season with the Chicago Sky has been nothing short of dramatic, and now her future with the franchise could be in jeopardy. According to multiple reports, the Sky are weighing the possibility of trading the 23-year-old forward after her blunt comments to the Chicago Tribune drew the ire of teammates, coaches, and front-office executives.
Reese didn’t hold back when asked about the team’s direction.
“I’m not settling for the same s–t we did this year. We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me. I’m willing and wanting to play with the best. And however I can help to get the best here, that’s what I’m going to do this offseason.”
For many inside the Sky organization, those words crossed the line. Calling for roster upgrades is one thing, but publicly suggesting that teammates aren’t good enough violated an unspoken locker room rule: keep frustrations in-house.
The situation escalated when Reese went further, reportedly questioning the value of veterans like Courtney Vandersloot and dismissing the chances of others, including Rachel Banham and Hailey Van Lith, as playoff-caliber contributors.
The fallout was swift. The Sky suspended Reese for the first half of a game against the Las Vegas Aces, citing “detrimental comments” to the team. She later apologized, insisting her words were misconstrued and clarifying that she didn’t intend to disrespect her teammates.
“I really didn’t intentionally mean to put down my teammates. I want to apologize… and I just have to be better with my language.”
But apologies may not be enough to undo the damage. Sources told DallasHoopsJournal that the Sky are seriously considering trade scenarios involving Reese, with multiple WNBA teams expected to pursue her this offseason.
For rival front offices, the chance to add a 6-foot-3 forward averaging 14.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game is an enticing opportunity, especially given her youth and upside. Reese has already recorded 49 double-doubles in just 64 career games, making her one of the league’s most consistent rebounders.
From Chicago’s perspective, the situation is complicated. Reese was the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and signed a four-year, $324,383 rookie contract. She was supposed to be the face of a rebuilding franchise, paired with Kamilla Cardoso as the frontcourt of the future.
Yet, her frustration with the team’s poor infrastructure, the Sky were voted the WNBA’s “worst-run franchise” in a recent players poll, and her outspoken nature has created friction that may be difficult to repair.
Reese has made it clear she wants to win championships, and if the Sky can’t provide a competitive environment, she hinted she’d look elsewhere.
For now, the Sky must decide whether to double down on Reese as their centerpiece or cut bait before the tension escalates further. Either way, Angel Reese’s situation will be one of the biggest WNBA storylines of the offseason, and her next move could reshape the balance of power across the league.
