Angel Reese and Chicago Sky: Moving Forward After a Rocky Season

In the aftermath of a challenging season, the Chicago Sky and their star player, Angel Reese, appear to be mending their relationship after public tensions threatened to derail their future together. Despite ending the 2024 WNBA season with one of the league’s worst records (10-34), Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca has affirmed his commitment to keeping the talented young forward on the roster, emphasizing that the team has “closed the chapter” on their recent difficulties.

The trouble began when Reese made pointed comments about the team’s performance and future direction, stating that improvement was “non-negotiable” and that she might need to “move in a different direction” if the Sky didn’t bring in better talent. “I’m not settling for the same stuff we did this year,” she told the Chicago Tribune in no uncertain terms. “We have to get good players. We have to get great players.” These comments led to a suspension from the team for conduct deemed “detrimental,” and Reese subsequently missed the final three games of the season with what was officially described as a back injury—though this timing raised eyebrows across the league about the true nature of her absence.

Despite the apparent friction, Pagliocca has maintained a positive outlook on Reese’s future with the organization. “Angel is an ascending young talent in this league who’s had two very, very good seasons here in Chicago,” he stated in a recent press conference. His measured approach suggests that the Sky recognize Reese’s undeniable value to the franchise, particularly given her impressive statistical performance this season. The second-year player averaged 14.7 points per game while leading the entire WNBA in rebounding with 12.6 boards per contest—standout numbers that underscore why the team would be reluctant to part ways with such a productive young star.

The relationship between Reese and the Sky seems to be on the mend, with Pagliocca noting that he has “good conversations with Angel daily, with her team daily” and describing these interactions as “constant” and “productive.” This ongoing dialogue represents an important step in rebuilding trust between the player and organization. Reese has reportedly spoken with her teammates and made public comments that satisfied the team’s leadership, suggesting that both sides recognize the value in moving forward together rather than apart. For a struggling franchise looking to rebuild, maintaining a positive relationship with their most marketable and statistically productive player would certainly be in their best interest.

The situation highlights the complex dynamics that often exist between star players and struggling teams in professional sports. Reese’s outspoken comments about needing better talent around her reflect the frustration that elite competitors often feel when team results don’t match their individual contributions. With the Sky tying for the worst record in the league despite Reese’s standout individual performance, her desire for improvement is understandable. The challenge for the Chicago front office now becomes addressing these concerns constructively while maintaining a positive team culture—finding ways to improve the roster while ensuring that players express their frustrations through appropriate channels.

As the Sky look toward the 2025 season, the resolution of this conflict could prove pivotal to their rebuilding efforts. If Pagliocca can deliver on bringing in the additional talent that Reese desires, while Reese continues her development as one of the league’s most exciting young players, this rocky period might ultimately be viewed as a necessary growing pain in the team’s journey back to competitiveness. For now, both parties appear committed to moving forward together, focusing on the future rather than dwelling on past disagreements. The coming offseason moves will likely determine whether this reconciliation holds and whether the Sky can build a team that satisfies their star player’s ambitions while improving their standing in the increasingly competitive WNBA landscape.