Chicago Sky could make trade before WNBA deadline in midseason shake-up

The Chicago Sky are reportedly considering a significant move before next month's WNBA trade deadline, with guard Dana Evans said to be available to rival general managers.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times , the Sky view Evans as their most valuable asset they'd feel comfortable shipping out. After benching the 25-year-old earlier this season, they've not lost a step on the court, suggesting they can live without the member of a backcourt that's seen Chennedy Carter explode onto the scene as one of the best surprises of the campaign.

Evans finished third in the Sixth Player of the Year voting in 2023 after scoring 9 points per game. But after Evans made 12 starts in 2024, head coach Teresa Weatherspoon returned the Louisville product to a bench role. Evans remains an inconsistent shooter, however she provides strong playmaking and defensive skills. A team needing backcourt reinforcements might call up the Sky to get an asking price on the guard.

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In return, Chicago might seek a sharpshooting wing player who could help an offense that's made the fewest 3-pointers in the WNBA this season.

The Sky's strengths and weaknesses have followed the preseason expectations of a work-in-progress roster. Outside of offensive rebounding, a superpower for Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso , Chicago is abysmal with the ball. Weatherspoon's team ranks third-worst in assists, second-worst in field goal percentage and worst in free-throw percentage.

When drafting Cardoso and Reese in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft - rather than more offensive-minded players such as Rickea Jackson or Aaliyah Edwards - general manager Jeff Pagliocca believed the franchise needed to prioritize a defensive, inside-out identity under Weatherspoon. His organization could address deficiencies on the other side of the ball later.

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As a result, the Sky seem to be a natural match with 2025 draft prospects who can score from day one in the league. A midseason Evans trade, though, could net another capable shooter in the short term as they try to make a playoff push this year.

Chicago entered this week occupying the No. 8 seed with a 9-14 record. The team is two games above the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA standings.

When is the WNBA trade deadline?

The 2024 WNBA trade deadline is scheduled for Aug. 20 - about one month before the end of the regular season. But because of the All-Star and Olympic breaks, teams have few remaining chances to see players in WNBA action before the deadline.

The All-Star break begins on July 18, and there won't be another regular-season WNBA game after that until Aug. 15.