Golden State Valkyries Expansion Draft Speculation Series: Chicago Sky

Left with not many future options, the Sky started on the rebuilding process instead, losing key players, but giving themselves more opportunity to move forward. They were able to draft a frontcourt that they can build around and had an unexpectedly strong start to their season. Their slump to end the season kept them out of the playoffs, but they should have the opportunity grab another building block in the draft. Most of their protection choices should be easy to make, which leaves no clear exciting pick for the Valkyries.

Salary and contract status for 2025 from Her Hoop Stats as sourced by Richard Cohen:
https://herhoopstats.com/salary-cap-sheet/wnba/team/2024/chicago-sky-11eaecc7-355f-1c4a-b611-2362f5011b0b/

Hypothetical Protection Priority Order

1. Angel Reese ($74,909, 2nd year rookie scale)
2. Kamilla Cardoso ($78,066, 2nd year rookie scale)
3. Chennedy Carter (restricted free agent)
4. Elizabeth Williams ($100,000)
5. Lindsay Allen ($90,000)
6. Rachel Banham ($95,000 guaranteed)
7. Michaela Onyenwere (restricted free agent)
8. Nikolina Milic (reserved)
9. Dana Evans (restricted free agent)
10. Isabelle Harrison (unrestricted free agent)
11. Moriah Jefferson ($145,500, guaranteed)
12. Maria Conde (exclusive rights)
13. Diamond DeShields (unrestricted free agent)
14. Brianna Turner (unrestricted free agent)
Unprotectable: Kaela Davis (hardship contract)

Locks for Protection

A series of trades got the team another first round pick in the last draft, allowing them to select Angel Reese along with Kamilla Cardoso, setting up their starting frontcourt for the future so both should be easiest protection choices to make. Chennedy Carter was signed on a training camp deal and she not only made the team, but became their leading scorer. She is a restricted free agent, but they will want to protect her so that they keep those rights and solidify part of their backcourt. They extended Elizabeth Williams right at the end of the season with a contract that would be pretty reasonable for a backup center so they will want to keep her too.

Tough Team Decisions

Lindsay Allen was expected to be a solid backup point guard for the team, but ended up in the starting lineup for the majority of the season. With her contract for the next season already being set at a reasonable amount for her production, she would certainly be under consideration to be picked so she will likely be the next priority for protection. Rachel Banham, who the team acquired in a trade, is also under contract for next year and she provided shooting off the bench for them. They seemed happy with what she provided after joining the team and her contract is not too high, although it is guaranteed, so they could also protect her to ensure that she is on the team next year.

The Sky have multiple restricted free agents and those can be difficult decisions in this event with no idea about their market once free agency opens. Michaela Onyenwere provided production at the forward position and the team could be hoping that they at least keep their options open with her when free agency begins. Dana Evans was expected to battle for more playing time this season, but ended up not making a forward step in production while repeatedly expressing dissatisfaction with her situation. Given that players must be extended a qualifying offer for teams to even retain the rights to match, the Sky may be content to decline that for her and let become an unrestricted free agent.

Assuming that the Valkyries can pick an unprotected unrestricted free agent and apply the core designation, teams will have to wonder if their players could be targets. Isabelle Harrison is an offensive-minded post player who returned after missing an entire season with an injury, but she figures to be well outside of the core and protection consideration range. The team acquired the rights to another offensive-minded post player in Nikolina Milic as part of the trade that also allowed them select Angel Reese. Uncertainty about whether she is likely to return also would leave her largely out of consideration for protection.

Likely Left Unprotected

The team ended up with a lot of veterans, many who will be free agents so they would not need to be protected given that they would not be targets for a pick and core tag scenario. Brianna Turner has provided defensive help in the frontcourt in her career, but rarely got any chances this season. Diamond DeShields provided depth at the forward position, but will also end up in free agency. The Sky took on Moriah Jefferson’s contract in a trade and given its amount and guarantee, they will not need to protect it, although she had still contributed in the previous season. Maria Conde signed her rookie scale contract after being drafted in 2019, but has never showed up, so the team still holds her rights even if they are never likely to have any value. Kaela Davis, who was able to finish the season with the team because she was available when they needed somebody, was on a hardship contract and cannot be protected.

The Valkyries Perspective

If the Sky protect Chennedy Carter and the expected five out of six players under contract with the team, it could leave the Valkyries with very uncertain value from the options that they have left so they would certainly be hoping that Lindsay Allen or Rachel Banham are left available. Michaela Onyenwere would be a reasonable pick as there would be some expectation that she could be retained without taking too much of the salary cap. Dana Evans could be picked and given the chance to prove herself at the qualifying offer amount, but also could ultimately end up being an unrestricted free agent and not need to be picked before that. Nikolina Milic could certainly contribute if she returns to the league, but it is not clear whether that will happen so picking her could end up not being beneficial at all.