Chennedy Carter is officially not returning to the Chicago Sky for the 2025 WNBA season. The decision was somewhat surprising given that Carter was the Sky’s leading scorer in the 2024 season and the Sky are in dire need of offense. Even with her 17.5 points a game, the Sky had the second-worst offensive rating in the league, ahead of only the Atlanta Dream.
Now that Carter is out and Marina Mabrey has been traded to the Connecticut Sun, Angel Reese is the only player left from the 2024 roster who averaged double-digit scoring for the majority of the season.
The Sky have plenty of work to do offensively and desperately have to find someone to replace Carter’s production before the new season. Preferably, that player should be a better 3-point shooter than Carter. Starting three non-shooters, the Sky were one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the league. Improving that should be a priority this offseason, and the Sky will certainly keep it in mind when they look at possible replacements for Carter.
3. Kelsey Plum
Going after Kelsey Plum would be a bold move from the Sky. Plum has played her entire career with the same franchise but did not sign an extension with the Aces when the rest of the core did. Rumors emerged soon after the season that she may be on her way out. The Aces coring her did not silence those rumors. If the Aces choose to move Plum, the Sky could put together an interesting trade package.
Plum would easily be able to take on a similar scoring load as Carter did last season. She averaged 17.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game for the Aces, where she was not necessarily the first option offensively.
Plum would be a significant upgrade over Carter. She has won championships before, can defend as well as make plays for her teammates, and has a reliable 3-point shot. Averaging 39 percent on 5.3 attempts per game for her career, Plum is very capable of spacing the floor. She would address every need the Sky have at the guard position. The question is just how realistic it is that Chicago can land her.
2. Jewell Loyd
In Jewell Loyd’s case, there are more than just rumors to support the idea that the Sky could go after her this offseason. Loyd already requested a trade from the Seattle Storm in early December, and the Sky put together a package to bring her to Chicago.
The Sky need a scorer on the perimeter. Loyd is just that. She averaged 19.7 points per game last season, the second-highest scoring average of her career. Her 3-point shooting dipped in 2024, but Loyd shot it well in previous seasons, shooting between 35.6 and 39 percent between 2020 and 2023.
Loyd also has championship experience and a long professional career under her belt, which is something young teams like the Sky can always use. It is a name they will certainly keep an eye on, especially with how well Loyd has been playing in Unrivaled.
1. Olivia Miles
If the Sky do not want to make a big trade for a high-level scorer this offseason, they could try to find someone to replace Carter’s production in the draft. The Sky have the third overall pick and the chance to draft a future WNBA star. Olivia Miles would be a perfect fit if she is still available when the Sky get to make their pick. At this point, that may be a little far-fetched (unless the Sky somehow trade up) but it is still a possibility.
Miles is currently averaging 16.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.5 steals. She is also featuring a much improved 3-point shot, converting 44.8 percent of her 4.8 attempts per game. While a smooth transition to the WNBA is not guaranteed for any young player, Miles promises to be a capable scorer and playmaker at the next level. On a team that has as little solid guard play as the Sky currently do, she may even put up big scoring numbers early on.
If Miles is picked by Dallas or Los Angeles before it is the Sky’s turn, there are still plenty of promising guards they could target to take over Carter’s role on the team. Sonia Citron, for example, is averaging 14 points per game and shooting the three pretty well. Te-Hina Paopao and Azzi Fudd have also been consistent double-digit scorers over their college careers and are excellent 3-point shooters. Miles has the most promise, however, and could easily become the Sky’s point guard of the future.
Drafting a young guard rather than going after a veteran to replace Carter’s production would also allow the Sky to develop that player in their system alongside their recent first-round picks.