Chicago makes its first move of free agency with a sign and trade
The Chicago Sky traded restricted free agent Astou Ndour to the Dallas Wings in a sign-and-trade deal on Tuesday, per Winsidr reporter Rachel Galligan.
There is no official report on what the full deal is yet. A league source tells High Post Hoops the transaction is likely related to ongoing talks between Chicago and Dallas concerning Skylar Diggins-Smith.
News of the deal broke less than an hour after it was reported by Galligan that the Sky had matched the Atlanta Dream’s offer sheet to Ndour.
More from High Post Hoops
- Bet $5 on Sparks vs. Sky, Win $150 Instantly with Limited-Time DraftKings Promo
- Cash in for Over $2,000 With WNBA Promo Bonuses from FanDuel & Caesars
- FanDuel WNBA Promo Code Gives You $2,500 Bonus for ANY Game Tonight!
- Unlock $200 GUARANTEED With Crazy DraftKings WNBA Promo
- Unlock Over $4,500 Bonus With 3 Best WNBA Sportsbook Promos!
The 6-foot-5 center broke out late last season after Sky center Jantel Lavender suffered a season-ending foot injury. Ndour started in 11 regular-season games, averaging 10.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. Prior to Lavender’s injury, Ndour had only played more than 12 minutes in a game once last season and had also missed time due to commitments to the Spanish national team.
Following the WNBA’s landmark collective bargaining agreement—which increased individual max salaries at a significantly higher rate than it increased the overall salary cap—it was always going to be difficult, if not impossible, for the Sky to retain all of its free agents, despite Sky general manager James Wade’s hopes. Whether Chicago is bringing back a player into that new cap space is still unknown, but the deal may open up minutes for swiss army knife wing Gabby Williams in her more traditional role in the front court, as well as playtime for second-year forward Katie Lou Samuelson.
Chicago has not made any other moves yet in free agency. With Stefanie Dolson, Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley on the open market, and restricted free agents Kahleah Copper and Jamierra Faulkner under team control, Wade still has a number of decisions to make in the coming days.
Love our 24/7 women’s basketball coverage? Join our Patreon now and support this work, while getting extra goodies and subscriber-only content for yourself.