“The decision to try to go get Ariel Atkins was an Ariel Atkins decision, not due to the strength of the draft,” Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said in February. The franchise turned heads, giving away their third overall pick of the 2025 WNBA Draft. But just as fans were getting ready to comment on the 2025 draft selections, the Sky corrected the picks on the eve of the draft. Sigh of relief or a strategic move?

With just one first-round pick in the 2025 draft, the Chicago Sky made adjustments and struck a deal with Minnesota. The deal handed them a draft pick No. 11 in exchange of extinguishing the Minnesota team’s right to swap first-round picks in 2026. A solid stance to acquire top talent and compete in the league. Now with four picks – No. 10, 11, 16, and 22, the Sky will look for a strong rookie class in 2025. Done with your calculations? Not so fast. The permutations and combinations might just go for a toss once again, because the dust might not have settled yet.

Last season, when the Sky acquired Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese, the franchise juggled through savvy trades to move up its stock. At the end of the season, the decision paid dividends. If you are thinking that they are looking for a similar feat in the 2025 draft, you could be wrong. Especially keeping an eye on the 2026 draft class.

Actually, they might be thinking one season further ahead, a possibility Karli Bell also pointed. The Chicago native and Courtside with Karli Bell podcast host hinted that there could be more moves possible from the Chicago Sky ahead of draft night. Draft numbers 10 and 11 could be massive assets for them, as Karli also posted:

It’s important to note that while acquiring the number 11 pick from Minnesota, Chicago let go of their first-round pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Still, the Sky holds the right to swap Phoenix’s first-round pick with the Connecticut Sun. They also have two second-round picks and one third-round pick in next year’s class.

Looking at the widely talented and decorated 2026 draft class, the easiest decision is to encash your picks next season and get the most out of them. Sky may look to stack more first-rounders using the picks they have in hand. Sure, they will not let the ‘2023 mistake’ happen again. However, what was it again? Let’s find out!

Make-or-break decision for Chicago Sky

Remember the 2023 mega-trade? The Chicago Sky acquired Marina Mabrey as part of a four-team deal with the New York Liberty, Dallas Wings, and Phoenix Mercury in February 2023. The Wings benefitted from the trade as they received Diamond DeShields from Phoenix as well as Chicago’s first-round draft picks in 2024 and 2025. Dallas also received the right to swap first-round picks with the Sky in 2025. It was this trade that now boosted Dallas’ chances of getting the top pick in 2025, aka Paige Bueckers.

Now, Chicago will try to avoid such a mistake and will look to find big-game players from the 2026 draft early. Though the WNBA 2025 draft is very talented and has players who can impact the game instantly, the numbers are not very encouraging. Chicago may not end up getting a player of that calibre even via the 10th, or the 11th picks. And while potential stars are on the list that Chicago can add with current picks such as the likes of Hailey Van-Lith and Te-Hina Paopao, the Sky may be looking for more.

Now, it’s up to Jeff Pagliocca and the team to decide on the four 2025 and four 2026 draft picks in hand. Should they go for the rookies from the 2025 pool with the current draft or mix them to move up in the 2026 draft pick for an impact player like Azzi Fudd, Olivia Miles, Flau’jae Johnson, or Raven Johnson? This will surely be an interesting watch.