Angel Reese’s Future in Chicago Uncertain Amid Growing Speculation
When the Chicago Sky confirmed this week that Angel Reese would not participate in a traditional exit interview with the media following the close of the 2025 WNBA season, speculation over her future in the Windy City immediately reignited. For one of the league’s brightest stars, the silence was deafening, fueling questions about whether her relationship with the franchise can be repaired—or whether she will soon be wearing a different jersey.
Reese, now two seasons into her professional career, has quickly established herself as one of the WNBA’s most impactful players. Already a two-time All-Star and a historically dominant rebounder, she has become both a cornerstone talent on the court and a highly marketable figure off of it. But behind the highlight reels and sold-out arenas, tension between Reese and the Chicago Sky has been steadily mounting.
In an interview earlier this month with the Chicago Tribune, Reese openly criticized both her teammates and the Sky front office after the team stumbled to a 10–34 finish. “It’s not just about me,” she said at the time. “It’s about where this team is headed, and right now, I don’t see the vision.” Her remarks underscored a growing rift that has put the franchise under the microscope.
The possibility of Reese’s departure gained traction this week on the podcast Good Game with Sarah Spain. Former Chicago Sun-Times reporter Annie Costabile, now with Front Office Sports, was asked by Spain to assess the chances that Reese would remain with the Sky in 2026. “This is just my opinion, not my reporting,” Costabile cautioned, “but the likelihood of Angel being back in a Sky jersey is between 20 and 30 percent.”
It was a striking statement, particularly given Reese’s status as the face of the franchise. Costabile has reported extensively on the Sky’s internal challenges, including Reese’s belief that the roster will undergo a significant overhaul this winter. With free agency looming and a rare “double expansion draft” set to stock the new Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo franchises, Chicago is expected to look very different by next spring. According to Costabile, Reese has told confidants she sees herself and fellow All-Star Kamilla Cardoso as the only true roster “guarantees” for 2026.
Yet even that assurance appears shaky. If a trade scenario emerges that provides the Sky with meaningful assets and gives Reese a path to championship contention, a split could happen sooner rather than later. “I’ve covered numerous stars who have forced their way out of Chicago,” Costabile noted on the podcast. “The difference here is that none of those players publicly called out teammates in the process.”
That detail may be critical. Reese’s decision to air frustrations openly distinguishes her from past stars who quietly departed the franchise. Her candor has earned both praise for its honesty and criticism for its bluntness, adding another layer of complexity to the Sky’s offseason. For an organization already under pressure to improve operational standards and rebuild a winning culture, keeping Reese happy may prove to be an uphill battle.
The uncertainty arrives at a time when the WNBA itself is in the midst of transformation. With rising television ratings, a surge in attendance, and new media deals on the horizon, players like Reese symbolize the league’s rapid growth. For Chicago, losing a star of her caliber could have significant consequences—not only competitively but also commercially, given Reese’s popularity with fans and sponsors.
For now, both the Sky and Reese are keeping quiet about what comes next. The absence of an exit interview left questions unanswered, and team officials have declined to comment publicly on the speculation. But with offseason maneuvering about to begin, the clock is ticking on Chicago’s ability to present a compelling vision for the future.
Whether Reese remains the centerpiece of that vision or finds herself at the center of a blockbuster trade, her next move will be one of the defining storylines of the WNBA offseason. For the Sky, the margin for error is slim. For Reese, the decision could determine whether her career in Chicago is just beginning—or already nearing its end.
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