Despite the ongoing CBA negotiations rumbling in the background, the WNBA has never generated the level of excitement and intrigue that it currently does. Both the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire will enter the league at the start of the 2026 campaign, meaning that teams must plan accordingly ahead of a selection of their players being available to be stolen in the Expansion Draft—creating an opportunity for Hailey Van Lith to end her Chicago Sky nightmare.
Rookie head coach Tyler Marsh opted for the legendary playmaker Courtney Vandersloot ahead of the former TCU star Van Lith, and rightfully so, given the veteran's elite passing ability. However, when Vandersloot sustained a season-ending ACL injury, it seemed like the perfect time to allow the young guard to acquire some much-needed experience in the professional game.
Marsh disagreed with this hypothesis, with Rachel Banham often being preferred in the place of Van Lith and superstar Angel Reese being trusted to carry the ball up the court. Even though Van Lith has undoubted potential, Marsh's lack of trust in the 24-year-old could result in one of the most jaw-dropping moments of the Expansion Draft.
Which players should the Sky protect for the 2026 Expansion Draft?
Angel Reese: A name that always seems to attract an unwavering amount of attention is Angel Reese. Many fans of the WNBA believe that this player does not possess a sensational amount of talent—they are mistaken. Reese, alongside Kamilla Cardoso, remains Chicago's biggest asset and has the potential to become one of the most dominant players the league has ever seen if she can continue to elevate her scoring ability to match her ridiculous rebounding talent.
Kamilla Cardoso: The Sky's decision-making when it comes to their roster seems like it is made with a Magic 8-Ball at times, but not protecting Cardoso would warrant professional help. The Brazilian center is becoming a force to be reckoned with in the paint of both ends of the floor. Cardoso showed glimpses of her scoring potential in the paint during the 2025 campaign. If she can consistently perform to this level, Chicago will have a star on its hands.
Ajsa Sivka: The Slovenian forward was drafted in 2025, alongside Van Lith and Maddy Westbeld, but was granted permission to prioritise her international commitments for the season. Sivka will provide the Sky with scoring from all three levels, while also providing a presence on the boards—which may not be needed with Reese and Cardoso in the lineup. The possibility of Chicago allowing Sivka to go to the Tempo or the Fire is nonexistent... surely.
Ariel Atkins: In a decision the franchise may now regret, given the catastrophic previous campaign they endured, Atkins was traded to the Sky in exchange for the third overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft. Giving up such a valuable asset in exchange for a player who possesses dangerous offensive attributes would indicate that this player will still play an important role for this team.
Maddy Westbeld: Here comes the criticism. But there is logic to this theory. Westbeld is effectively taking the final spot in place of Van Lith. It was clear during the 2025 season—even though it wasn't a prominent role—that Westbeld was trusted with more time on the floor than her rookie teammate. Not only this, but the Notre Dame graduate would alleviate a large amount of pressure from Sivka's shoulders while she inevitably encounters a transition period.
Which players would become available?
Due to the volume of players still contracted to the Sky, this would see a total of eight players become available for selection in the Expansion Draft.
Role players such as Rebecca Allan, Rachel Banham, Kia Nurse, Michaela Onyenwere, Aicha Coulibaly, Sevki Uzun, and Elizabeth Williams would be tempting prospects for Toronto and Portland. Meanwhile Van Lith's potential would have the expansion vultures circling in a matter of minutes.
Understandably, many experts and fans would argue that the idea that the Chicago Sky would contemplate giving up a young talent in the form of Hailey Van Lith is unfathomable. That may be correct. In reality, the Sky has gained a reputation for making wild decisions. Let us face facts: Which WNBA supporter does not want to see the young guard make an electric resurgence as the face of an expansion franchise?