Just like that, the Chicago Sky have taken a complete u-turn. Last year, Angel Reese claimed that the Sky had the “best young core in the league.” At the time, franchise cornerstones were Reese, Kamilla Cardoso and Hailey Van Lith. Cut to today, two out of those three will now not suit up in a Sky uniform. The Sky started the offseason with that blockbuster Angel Reese trade and are now ending it with a bang as well. They have decided to waive Van Lith against the tide of the fans.

Hailey Van Lith was just popping off. After suffering from an ankle injury as a rookie, Van Lith had announced her return. She had 20 points on perfect 8/8 shooting while adding a rebound and an assist coming off the bench against Phoenix and 5 points and 6 assists against the Dream. It felt like the point guard was coming into her own and could be a part of the rotation with an ACL returnee Courtney Vandersloot and Skylar Diggins. Yet, the Sky have departed with the guard.

“Thank you, Hailey, wishing you nothing but the best ahead,” wrote the franchise. Per ESPN, this decision was due to the coaching staff’s “style-of-play preference.” They have brought in Natasha Cloud, a more traditional and experienced point guard who is more effective on the defensive end of the floor. Cloud has signed on for a one-year deal at $555,000 while Van Lith would have earned $289,133 if she had been retained.

However, it’s not over for Van Lith, as ESPN reports that she is in contact with multiple teams and is healthy after rehabing in the past offseason. She can still return to the Sky as a developmental player too. Being a fan favorite, the Sky fanbase is certainly not happy with this one as they are raining down criticism on the Sky front office after this decision.

“Worst Run Organisation” Talks Return After Chicago Sky’s Hailey Van Lith Decision

“Chicago is ONE DIRTY ORGANISATION,” wrote a passionate fan. Y’all are the most unserious organization. it’s ridiculous,” commented another. The Sky have been long at the receiving end from such attacks. Not only from the fans but also from the players as well. They voted the SKy as the worst-run organization in the Athletic Poll last year.

The lack of a practice facility played a part in that but also their constant shuffling of rosters. They are set to move to their brand-new facility but their front office is still making questionable decisions. The Reese trade for just two first-round picks already had fans on the edge. Waiving Hailey Van Lith might have pushed them over.

“Y’all lost me with this one; I’m not supporting this team anymore,” wrote a fan. That’s the other aspect of parting with popular players. Their fan bases go with them. The Sky lost 10,000 followers almost immediately after they traded Reese. Van Lith has 1.3 million followers on her instagram, many of whom could do the same and unfollow Sky. their attendance figures might be affected. Of course these losses don’t direct roster decisions but it’s an effect the franchise needs to address as well. In addition, the Sky had invested a lot in Hailey Van Lith, which has essentially gone to the ground with this waiver.

“I don’t get it 😆. Why protect her in the expansion draft and sell picks off just to cut her lol,” wrote a fan. First, they traded for the No. 11 pick, extinguishing a pre-existing 2026 first-round pick swap with the Minnesota Lynx. The Sky had already sacrificed to Minnesota to trade up one spot for Angel Reese in the 2024 draft. It gave the Lynx sole control of the Sky’s 2026 first rounder, which was the No. 2 overall pick that became Olivia Miles.

To make matters worse, GM Jeff Pagliocca traded second-round picks to the expansion franchises to protect their entire roster and essentially Van Lith, who was a probable pick. After these gymnastics, they have let Van Lith go while they keep a 37-year-old Courtney Vandersloot.

“Cutting a healthy young guard but keeping someone who’s recovering from an acl injury that’s pushing 40. Lol,” wrote a fan. Vandersloot is coming off an ACL injury, which is already an uphill task but her age makes matters much worse. At 37, it seems almost impossible she returns to her best. But like Reese said, if the Sky has championship aspirations, it should not have to depend on her. Yes, she will be a backup to Cloud and Diggins, but they had multiple better options.

The Hailey Van Lith waiver gets more confusing the deeper one dives into it. But only the Sky management and the staff know what they are planning. The pressure is on the franchise to prove they are making the right decisions, as bad results would once again earn the wrath of their fan base.