The Chicago Sky had a very successful 2015 WNBA season. The team finished the season first in scoring in the league with almost 83 points per game and second in rebounding with 36. A huge part of their run last season was the return of a healthy Elena Delle Donne. Delle Donne was named the league’s most valuable player after averaging 23.4 points and having a player efficiency rating of 32.72. Also worth mentioning is Allie Quigley, who signed a multi-year contract before the start of the season, being named the 2015 sixth woman of the year for the second consecutive season. She had a fantastic year averaging almost 12 points per game off the bench and hitting the second most three pointers on the team. Despite being without the services of their all star Sylvia Fowles who decided not to suit up for the Sky last season the team made up for her absence by committee. Breland and Dos Santos held down the frontcourt until the arrival of Erika de Souza who the Sky received in a three team trade that sent Fowles to the Minnesota Lynx. With Delle Donne leading the way the Sky looked to be heading back to the WNBA finals where they were swept a season ago by the Phoenix Mercury. After finishing second in the Eastern Conference after a New York team who far exceed probably everyones but their own expectations they faced Tamika Catchings and the Indiana Fever in the first round of the playoffs. After winning game one at home the Sky went into Indianapolis ready to close out the series. The Fever ended up winning at home and closed the series out in Chicago to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
The Chicago Sky have all the pieces compete for a championship next season. A healthy Delle Donne, the veteran Cappie Pondexter, who agreed to a multi-year contract extension after signing with the team, and Courtney Vandersloot who has the controls at the point guard position is a backcourt to be reckoned with. In the frontcourt, Dos Santos, who was a monster on the boards and although an experienced player overseas was in her first season in the WNBA. She should be even better next season. Breland, who is a restricted free agent, will probably entertain offers from around the league. Not sure if Chicago will be willing to match all offers which leaves the question of what they will do with trying to keep the newly acquired Erika de Souza who is now an unrestricted free agent. There will be plenty of teams interested in a veteran post player of her size and caliber. Will Chicago be able to convince her to stay? Does she believe she has a chance of winning her first championship with the Sky? Having a consistent center should be a priority for the sky. Their biggest challenge will be bolstering their inside game. What do you think the Sky need to do to get back to the WNBA finals? Do they already have all that they need? The Sky have definitely had all that they’ve needed in the past but were still unable to convert that talent into a championship. Will this season be the season or will they again fall short of their goal?
Free Agents:
Erika de Souza *unrestricted
Cappie Pondexter *signed contract extension
Allie Quigley *signed contract extension
Jessica Breland *restricted