The Chicago Sky may be on the verge of detonating another blockbuster that could once again reshape the franchise — and perhaps the entire WNBA playoff picture. Less than two years after executing one of the most consequential trades in team history, Chicago is now linked to the Minnesota Lynx for a second major draft-pick swap. The two teams, already forever intertwined because of the 2024 draft-night exchange that delivered Angel Reese to Chicago, are reportedly eyeing yet another bold maneuver before the 2026 Draft arrives.
That 2024 trade remains one of the most pivotal acquisitions in Sky history. By flipping first-round picks with Minnesota, Chicago was able to pair Reese with No. 3 overall pick Kamilla Cardoso — a move that immediately solved their rebounding crisis and established the frontcourt foundation the franchise has been building around ever since. But for all that stability, the Sky remain stuck outside the playoff picture, having missed the postseason in back-to-back years.
Now, opportunity is knocking again — and loudly.
The Minnesota Lynx, despite reaching the 2024 WNBA Finals and finishing as a top-tier playoff team last season, stunningly possess the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 Draft. And with former MVP Napheesa Collier still headlining their roster, Minnesota may be more open than expected to dealing from the top of the board if the right haul comes along. Their offensive firepower — a league-leading 86.1 points per game last year — far outpaced Chicago’s league-worst 75.8 average. But defense, rebounding depth, and interior physicality remain question marks that Reese or Cardoso could theoretically answer.
Would the Lynx dare to swing big for a franchise-changing frontcourt star? The idea is reportedly being floated.
The Sky, meanwhile, have their own motivations. If they can pry Minnesota’s No. 2 pick without sacrificing Reese or Cardoso, Chicago would suddenly hold the second and fifth selections in one of the deepest draft classes in recent years. It would be a massive step forward for a franchise that desperately needs more scoring, perimeter consistency, and long-term roster stability.
To avoid losing either cornerstone, Chicago could offer a package built around its two second-round picks this spring and a 2027 first-rounder — a substantial but manageable cost for the chance to add another elite rookie next year. Head coach Tyler Marsh would then be positioned to develop an exciting youth core built around Reese, Cardoso, and potentially a pair of top-five talents.
Beyond the two stars, Chicago’s 2026 roster is remarkably thin. Only rookies Hailey Van Lith and Maddy Westbeld remain under contract — and while Van Lith struggled to produce consistently, Westbeld delivered a jaw-dropping 25-point performance in the season finale, drilling five threes and showcasing the two-way potential the Sky hoped for when they drafted her. That breakout flashes as a reminder that Chicago may already have another homegrown gem in development.
The stakes could not be higher. WNBA expansion to 16 teams in 2026 means more competition, more parity, and more urgency for organizations on the brink. Chicago’s recent struggles give them no choice but to act aggressively — in free agency, on draft night, or perhaps in both arenas.
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