With Courtney Vandersloot out for the season, the Chicago Sky could use some additional point guard play. Rachel Banham has taken over the starting point guard spot, joining Ariel Atkins in the Sky’s backcourt. She has been playing well, upping her assist numbers and taking care of the ball. Banham is not a traditional point guard, though.
The Sky still have Moriah Jefferson on the roster. However, Jefferson missed significant time with an injury and is still working her way back into top shape. So, the Sky could look to add some outside help. When the Golden State Valkyries surprisingly waived Julie Vanloo, an opportunity opened up for the Sky to pick up a veteran playmaker.
Now, they have another option. The Los Angeles Sparks waived Odyssey Sims—a move that was almost as surprising as the Valkyries’ decision to cut Vanloo.
Odyssey Sims could be a solid fit with the Sky
Odyssey Sims is a proven veteran. She has 304 WNBA games under her belt, averaging 11.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and one steal per game for her career. In her twelfth season, Sims is not the scorer she used to be anymore but she can still put points on the board and make plays for her teammates.
She scored in double digits five times this season, including a 32-point performance in an 85-80 loss to the Phoenix Mercury. Sims also dished out four or more assists in six of her twelve games this season. Over her career, Sims hasn’t been a great three-point shooter. However, this season she converted 35.3 percent of her 2.8 attempts per game with the Sparks.
Sims provides the right mix of scoring, playmaking, and veteran experience that the Sky need at the point guard spot. She may not be as great a point guard as Courtney Vandersloot, but could fill the Sky’s needs well enough.
Chicago can still chase a playoff spot
The Sky are currently sitting in tenth place in the regular-season standings with a 5-11 record. That has them several games behind the Washington Mystics, Indiana Fever, and Las Vegas Aces, who are battling at the bottom of the playoff standings.
The Sky’s plan was obviously to make the playoffs this season. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have traded their lottery pick for Ariel Atkins. Vandersloot’s injury and the team’s overall struggles have made that goal seem almost impossible to reach.
If the Sky still want to chase a playoff spot and show Angel Reese that they are serious about surrounding her with a good supporting cast, improving the team’s point guard play could be an important move.