It's fair to say the Chicago Sky haven't exactly had the season the team hoped for this year. Part of that is due to injuries and bad luck (Courtney Vandersloot tore her ACL in June, and Angel Reese has missed games due to wrist and back injuries), and part of that is due to decisions made by the team's general manager Jeff Pagliocca (and by coach Tyler Marsh). But a second WNBA team might end up delivering the Sky a silver lining: the Los Angeles Sparks.
The Sky is sitting very near the bottom of the WNBA standings at No. 11 overall, hovering just above the Wings and the Sun. And while there's no way to know how the teams will finish up the 2025 season, it's reasonable to expect the bottom five to include some combination of these three teams as well as the Mystics (likely) and either the Golden State Valkyries or the Sparks.
The Sparks are on the brink of securing a spot in this year's playoffs, which would also mean the team will no longer be one of five to lottery into a top spot for the 2026 WNBA Draft. The team's 15-16 record puts them neck-and-neck with the Valkyries (who are currently sitting at 15-15 ahead of their Monday night game against the Sun), and either team could easily and officially slide into that eighth playoff spot (if the teams end the season with the same record, the Valkyries can break the tie).
The Lynx own the Sky's first-round pick
Chicago traded away the team's first-round pick to the Lynx in April of this year (a fact that could end up landing Minnesota the No. 1 overall pick next year, but that's a topic for another day). The decision was met with skepticism from some fans, a sentiment that's grown as the Sky's season has played out.
But there's hope for Chicago on the horizon. The Sun still owes the Sky a first-round pick, something Chicago can cash in on next year. Assuming the Sun's season continues as it's played out so far (the team is currently ranked at the bottom of the league), the Sky will likely land a top 5 pick — and could possibly end up with the No. 1 overall pick depending on how the draft lottery plays out.
There are details to sort out, but the at this point landing a good spot in the lottery is one of the few bright spots Chicago has before the 2026 season begins. The draft class is deep, and a top 5 selection could bring Lauren Betts, Olivia Miles, Flau'jae Johnson, Azzi Fudd, or Ta'Niya Latson to the fold — or give the team the chance to check out other athletes who are bound to rise through the ranks before then.