The Chicago Sky sent a jolt through the WNBA on Sunday after officially landing the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, following a tense and highly anticipated lottery held in Los Angeles. While Dallas walked away with the coveted No. 1 selection — followed by Minnesota, Seattle, and Washington — it was Chicago’s placement that immediately sparked league-wide conversation about what comes next for a franchise already in the middle of a dramatic rebuild.
This marks just the second time in team history that Chicago has held the fifth pick, the last coming in 2015 when the Sky selected Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, a player who went on to become a reliable contributor and defensive presence. Now, a decade later, the franchise stands at a similar crossroads — but this time, the stakes feel even higher.
Chicago didn’t stumble into this draft position by chance. The Sky maneuvered through multiple trades involving 2026 draft capital, clearing a path to secure their place inside the top five. With the draft’s lottery odds based on the combined records of the league’s bottom-five teams over the past two seasons, Chicago entered the day with the fifth-longest odds of winning the No. 1 pick, holding just 55 out of 1,000 chances. Yet they emerged with a placement that could become a turning point in their long-term roster construction.
And the organization isn’t done collecting assets. Along with their top-five pick, Chicago also owns three additional selections in the upcoming draft: No. 17, No. 26, and No. 32. It’s a rare and valuable arsenal — one that gives the Sky flexibility to build, trade, or reshape their roster depending on how aggressively they want to pursue a new direction.
With the 2026 WNBA Draft slated for April 13, the countdown has already begun.
The significance of this pick, however, reaches far beyond the draft board. Chicago is entering one of the most pivotal phases in franchise history, navigating a mix of young stars, shifting leadership, and rising expectations. The No. 5 selection could become the missing piece that helps solidify the team’s identity around its core — or a high-value chip used in a blockbuster trade.
The Sky are already navigating major questions about their future, from coaching transitions to long-term commitments to cornerstone players. Securing this pick adds a new layer of intrigue: How will this draft position influence the role and future of emerging stars like Angel Reese?
With a top-five prospect potentially joining the lineup, Chicago has a chance to strengthen its foundation dramatically — or reshape it entirely. Fans are now speculating about everything from the possibility of drafting a franchise-changing scorer to securing elite defensive talent or even trading up if the right generational prospect sits within reach.
One thing is clear: the Sky have positioned themselves at the heart of one of the most important WNBA Drafts in years. With multiple picks, a top-five selection, and a team in transition, Chicago enters 2026 armed with opportunity — and pressure.
Now the WNBA waits for the next chess move.
Because this No. 5 pick isn’t just another number.
It’s the beginning of the Sky’s next era — and all eyes are on Chicago.
Leave a Reply