Will Angel Reese ever suit up for Chicago again? We’ve seen it time and time again with sports teams in Chi-Town–the management just isn’t there. Even though AR is a divisive, polarizing figure, her reasons behind this public fallout are quite sound. The team needs to be better, and the first step is to acknowledge that they’re not there yet, not to suspend your biggest star for half a game. And this is exactly what analysts are talking about, giving the example of ex-HC Teresa Weatherspoon.

Six months. That’s how long Weatherspoon was given to get her house in order, with very limited talent on the books. It was a doomed demand if there ever was one, and when they missed the playoffs? The Chicago Sky said out with the new, and in with the newer! But considering Chicago’s 10-34 record, significantly worse than their 13 wins in a 40-game season, was the move warranted?

According to Ros Gold-Onwude from the Good Follow, the team’s failings are at an organizational level, not at the coaching level. “It’s a sign of a turbulent organization. If you fire a coach after 6 months? You never gave them a real chance.” She said, criticizing the Sky front office for their coaching decisions. They’ve had four coaches in four years, so the turnover is concerning if nothing else, but the problem runs a lot deeper.

A perfect example is how differently the organization treats Tyler Marsh as compared to how they treated Teresa Weatherspoon. “The bar changed, though, because Spoon finished 13 and 27. And even still, she had the support of franchise players: Angel Reese, other players were vocal about her.” Gold-Onwude said about last season, but the comparison she made? It certainly set the record straight about Weatherspoon’s efforts last year. “This season’s team of the Sky, led by Tyler Marsh, finished even worse. 10 and 34… The results were worse; they also missed the playoffs. And obviously, at the end of the season, there was a lot of dysfunction.” 

So, considering everything, quite an interesting question pops up: “Why was 13 and 27 for Spoon not acceptable, but 10 and 34 for another coach is?” Because, from what we know, the Sky isn’t planning to let go of Tyler Marsh.  They’re trusting his vision, they’re trusting the process. But why didn’t they extend that same level of courtesy to Weatherspoon?

This is why it’s difficult to take Chicago’s side in their falling out with Angel Reese. In her and Kamilla Kardoso, you have your future. Why would you go out of your way to alienate them? Sure, their attempts at building around the All-Star frontcourt failed, but that doesn’t mean you become passive–keep trying, you’ll find something that sticks. But after all the drama this season, we’re not even sure if they’ll get another chance to build around AR. What’s going on with the Reebok star? Are the rumors true that she’s trying to force her way out of Chicago? Let’s find out.

Is Angel Reese looking to leave Chicago this coming off-season?

Reports, rumors, suggestions–there has been nothing concrete about the Angel Reese – Chicago Sky falling out. Well, nothing except what AR said herself. “I’d like to be here for my career, but if things don’t pan out, obviously, I might have to move in a different direction and do what’s best for me.” She said to the Chicago Tribune almost a month ago. This is it, the ground zero behind all the rumors and all the reports. And honestly? It’s pretty substantive.

You cannot fault Angel Reese for wanting to win. The six-foot-two center has given Chicago everything she had and more, but the team isn’t showing her the same kind of love. I mean, suspending her for a half? Publicly calling her out for showing competitive drive? That’s no good when dealing with big personalities like AR.

With how the situation is developing, an exit for Angel Reese is looking more and more likely. Recently, the Chicago Sky star opted out of appearing for this season’s exit interviews, further adding fuel to the fire. Honestly, the ball is in Chicago’s court. The more they try to ostracize this up-and-coming superstar, the more they risk losing her. Considering all the facts, a trade request does look likely this offseason.

Jeff Pagliocca has a very important decision to make–does he want to keep Angel Reese on board? Or do they start the rebuild from scratch around Kardoso? Because if he goes with the first option, he’ll be forced into making some major free-agency moves or trades to bring in talent this offseason. It will be interesting to see how the Sky GM deals with all of this on the back of a losing season and a public fallout.