Angel Reese just delivered the kind of interview that changes everything. The Chicago Sky star didn’t just criticize her teammates or question the franchise’s direction–she basically told the entire organization that her patience has run out. With one brutally honest conversation, Reese might have just started the countdown to her departure from Chicago.
Why Is Angel Reese Ready to Leave the Chicago Sky?
As her second year with the Chicago Sky trudges toward a disappointing conclusion, star forward Angel Reese has officially spoken up about potentially leaving the team that drafted her. Reese spoke to Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune on Wednesday (September 3) and was frank about possibly making a trade demand.
Angel Reese hints she could potentially leave the Chicago Sky if things don’t pan out in Chicago 😳
“I’m not settling for the same s— we did this year. We have to get good players. We have to get great players. … However I can help to get the best here, that’s what I’m going… pic.twitter.com/MxxMV00Mer
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 3, 2025
“I am very vocal about what we need and what I want,” Reese stated. “I’d like to be here for my career, but if things don’t pan out, obviously I might have to move in a different direction and do what’s best for me. But while I am here, I’m going to try to stay open-minded about what I have here and maximize that as much as I can.”
The former LSUÂ standout went on to critique the current Sky roster with even more pointed language. “I’m not settling for the same s–t we did this year,” Reese said. “We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me.”
Her criticism didn’t stop there. Reese blasted the team’s plans to build around veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot, who is out for the season after suffering an ACL tear. Reese expressed that the Sky would “need someone probably a little younger with some experience” and wasn’t keen on rookie Hayley Van Lith or veteran Rachel Banham, wanting players with more championship experience.
The All-Star forward made it clear that she and center Kamilla Cardoso should be the focus of the front office’s rebuild. She urged management to be more active when free agency begins but also expressed doubts about their ability to land top talent. “We need great players, and I don’t know what will attract that,” Reese said. “Maybe the practice facility will attract that, we’ll see.”
What Makes the Chicago Sky the WNBA’s Most Troubled Franchise?
Reese’s frustration makes more sense when considering the Sky’s reputation around the league. The franchise has consistently been viewed as the worst-run organization in the WNBA by players, according to an anonymous poll by The Athletic. The constant turmoil starts at the top, with first-year coach Tyler Marsh taking over for Teresa Witherspoon, who was fired at the end of last season.
Beyond the coaching carousel, Chicago has developed a pattern of losing star players who force their way out. Sylvia Fowles and Elena Delle Donne were among the first Sky players to demand trades. Even Kahleah Copper, the team’s MVP during their lone championship run in 2021, eventually left for Phoenix. Most recently, Marina Mabrey abandoned ship midseason in 2024 to join the Connecticut Sun.
The Sky have tried to address these issues by signing Vandersloot after her championship run with the New York Liberty and adding Kia Nurse from the Los Angeles Sparks. They’re also building a $38 million dedicated practice facility in Bedford Park, near Midway Airport, that will open next year.
However, these efforts might not be enough to keep Reese in Chicago, especially after her pointed comments in the Tribune interview. According to Front Office Sports, her teammates aren’t pleased with the direct attacks, and a team meeting has been planned to address the situation. “We are aware of it,” Marsh said when contacted. “We’re addressing it in-house as currently speaking. That’s where we’ll stay right now.”
How Valuable Would Angel Reese Be in Free Agency?
If Reese follows through on her hints about demanding a trade, she would become one of the most appealing players available for other WNBA teams. After a slow start to the 2024-25 season where she posted single-digit scoring in three of her first seven games, she found her rhythm and has been below 10 points just once since then. She’s recorded 23 double-doubles this season while earning her second straight spot on the WNBA All-Star team.
Those numbers would make any franchise take notice, especially teams looking to add a proven scorer and rebounder who can contribute immediately. Reese’s combination of production and youth makes her exactly the type of player contending teams would pursue aggressively.
One thing is certain: Reese’s comments have guaranteed that she’ll dominate WNBA conversations well into the offseason. Whether she stays in the Windy City or becomes the centerpiece of another franchise’s championship pursuit, her brutal honesty about Chicago’s situation has changed the entire dynamic around her future. The Sky now face a crucial decision about whether they can build the winning culture Reese demands, or if they’ll lose another star player to their organizational dysfunction.
