The Chicago Sky’s latest move following their recent exchange of “thoughts” has only deepened the rift between management and Angel Reese’s camp, and fans have made their stance clear. As the Sky closed a turbulent season against the New York Liberty, Wintrust Arena erupted with chants of “Free Angel” and “Fire Jeff,” directed at GM Jeff Pagliocca. A courtside fan in a “Free Angel Reese” shirt, seated near the Sky bench, was reportedly placed there by Reese’s own security. The message was unmistakable: Reese over management. And if rumors prove true, she could soon join a contender, leaving Chicago with yet another costly misstep.

The Sky closed out a dismal season with a 91–86 loss, finishing at 10–34, while Angel Reese remained sidelined by a recurring back injury. Yet it wasn’t her absence on the court that made headlines—it was her parting words. Reese’s simple message, “I love you guys,” resonated more like a goodbye than a season’s sign-off. As reporter Owen Pence noted, Reese, who once again proved her value as a defensive anchor with 12.6 rebounds and 14.7 points per game, may be the next domino to fall under the Sky’s embattled ownership.

Pence said on ‘WNBA on NBC’, “Look at the dysfunction that has surrounded her on this franchise since she got drafted. It’s pretty staggering and frankly, it dates back to before she got drafted and the fallout from the 2021 championship team from James Wade as head coach, and frankly, from ownership that has just been way behind the eight ball in investing in facilities that these players deserve.”

Recounting the Chicago Sky’s past mistakes would require almost a book. Their friction with the players dates back to 2015, when Sylvia Fowles sat out half of the season to force a trade to the Minnesota Lynx. Sky lost its entire 2021 championship-winning roster by 2024. The last piece of that puzzle, Kahleah Copper, was tired of the trajectory Sky was taking. “What are we doing?” Copper asked. When she was dissatisfied with the answer, Copper left before her “loyalty got her burned.”

Pence further took a dig, saying, “The current general manager of the Chicago Sky is, in my opinion, one of the two or three worst general managers in the league and has made some really, really baffling decisions. And at the end-of-year two, Angel Reese is fed up.” The random decisions, like suspending Reese for a comment, and at the same time failing to provide a roster that would help the young star aim for a championship, are testing the patience of both players and fans alike. But this isn’t a sudden fall.

The collapse and blurry vision of the team can be traced back to the loss of the gardener who grew it. Former Chicago Sky general manager and head coach James Wade left in 2023 to become an assistant with the Toronto Raptors, and everything went awry. The management hasn’t recovered since, being incredibly myopic in nature, with trades like the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft for Ariel Atkins. Sky’s $38M practice facility is behind schedule, making things even worse to hold to Reese. 

“They’re constant, and they’re productive, and until I hear differently, that’s the direction we’re gonna move in, is that she’s on the roster,” Pagliocca said when asked about Reese’s long-term future with the Sky. But for how long, that remains a blurred vision. Things are just heating up when it comes to Reese’s transfer saga, and we are just on page 1 of this story. If Sky wants to retain their diamond, they would have to give in to her demands. On the flip side, the Sky forward was almost too happy after her WNBA season ended.

Angel Reese’s Chicago farewell sparks trade rumors as fans and league closely watch

Angel Reese has shown marked improvement from her rookie season to her sophomore campaign. Her scoring jumped from 13.6 points per game to 14.7 in 2025, while her assists nearly doubled, rising from 1.9 to 3.7 per game. On the court, Reese continues to shine individually, but her team’s fortunes tell a different story. The Sky finished 10–34 (.227) under coach Tyler Marsh, marking the second-worst record in franchise history. To make matters worse, the season ended with Reese delivering a bombshell that sent shockwaves through the organization. Still, Reese appeared reasonably content with her personal progress.

For her final pregame appearance, Reese turned heads in a monochrome brown ensemble—sky-high leather boots, leggings, a crop top, a flowing jacket, and luxe shades. She spoke briefly about closing out her second WNBA season, admitting she was “so, so thrilled year two is over” while joking that she “just recorded her year 1 video.” Her playful energy seemed to contrast sharply with the struggles the team faced all season.

The mood around Reese—and the Sky—is telling. Observers noted that she appeared “too happy” recording her final video of the season, though Reese herself did not imply anything beyond satisfaction with her performance. Her demeanor suggested a sense of relief and closure, hinting that her focus may already be shifting elsewhere.

After the season finale, Reese departed for a private vacation, flying off in her jet. Fans and analysts are left to speculate whether she will return to Chicago. While the Sky will undoubtedly fight to retain their star, league powerhouses are already circling, and the Reese saga is far from over.