Another night, another sensational game-winning shot from Sydney Taylor. Despite going undrafted to start the season, the rookie is proving to be one of the feel-good stories of the year, something that doesn't often relate to the Chicago Sky. However, after a prolonged period of questionable decisions, the franchise has landed a future star they must build their roster around.
Chicago's general manager, Jeff Pagliocca, has been at the heart of the darkest period in the organisation's recent history. But after trading Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream, it seemed like Pagliocca had gained some clarity in his thinking, opting to construct a team around Kamilla Cardoso.
Alas, just three weeks later, instead of building a young core of players who could develop alongside one another, Pagliocca bizarrely accelerated the team's ambitions and created a squad he believed could propel itself into championship contention. Well, I think we all knew how that story was going to end.
In his defense, one decision the Sky's leading mind made has reaped extraordinary results and could be the catalyst for a new dawn in Chicago.
Sydney Taylor can be the future of Chicago
After graduating from Louisville, Sydney Taylor looked destined to be another victim of the WNBA's limited roster capacity. Yet, 29 games into the 2026 season, the rookie has changed the entire perception of her potential in the league.
Despite starting her WNBA journey as a rotational piece in Tyler Marsh's blueprint, Taylor has quickly established herself as a critical weapon in the Sky's arsenal. Throughout the season, the 25-year-old has averaged 14.5 points per game, while shooting 45.5% from the floor and 36% from deep.
As Taylor's confidence has grown in Chicago, so have her performances. Her game-winning three-point shot in the Sky's 73-70 triumph over the impressive Golden State Valkyries was just the tip of the iceberg for the young star.
On five occasions this season, Taylor has recorded 25+ points, with a career-high 31 points coming in just 26 minutes during Chicago's narrow 95-94 defeat to the New York Liberty.
When analysing the entire league, Chicago is light-years away from being a championship contender. The Las Vegas Aces and Minnesota Lynx are primed to place a stranglehold on the WNBA for the coming years. The Sky's most realistic option would be to embrace a rebuild momentarily to create a sustainable roster capable of competing against the higher echelons of the WNBA -- with Sydney Taylor at the heart of their plans.
If the Chicago Sky keep repeating the same mistakes consistently, this franchise will never escape the nightmare cycle of mediocrity they currently find themselves in. Sydney Taylor resembles hope for the organisation. Jeff Pagliocca shouldn't resist a rebuild, and their undrafted rookie star is handing them a chance to do so on a talented foundation.
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