You can take issue with some things that have happened with Angel Reese over the past week, as many have. She lamented the talent on the team's roster in public comments with Chicago Tribune reporter Julia Poe, leading to a half-game suspension. She raised more eyebrows when she sat the second half of that game with back issues that have been plaguing her this year. And her eight technical fouls this season have led to an automatic one-game suspension.
Reese critics saw all of these events as evidence of her prima donna behavior. But what those unfamiliar with the Sky's history are missing is that while her messaging wasn't perfect, it wasn't wrong either.
After a miserable season in which the Sky finds itself at just 10-32 and in second-to-last place in the standings, Reese was simply pointing out the obvious to anyone who has been paying attention to the facts rather than the narrative. The Sky are in need of major changes, and she's willing to speak the difficult truths that need to be said.
Angel Reese pointed out obvious flaws within the Chicago Sky
Reese's comments to Poe came in the context of an upcoming offseason in which 21 of the 24 All-Stars in the league are expected to become free agents. Chicago desperately needs to capitalize on the upcoming player movement and get better talent to build around Reese, who has done more than her part during a successful sophomore campaign.
Reese has followed up on a promising rookie year by averaging 14.7 points and a league-leading 12.6 rebounds this season. She has addressed the biggest criticism about her game, improving her oft-maligned field goal percentage by 6.7 percent this season. Her 45.8 percent from the field now ranks in the top third in the league and No. 3 on her team.
Reese has also doubled her assists from her rookie season, showing real growth as a passer. She's the league's best rebounder and an elite defender. She is budding into one of the true stars of the game, and she's done it by obviously putting in the work.
While Reese has held up her end of the bargain, the Sky's management team led by Jeff Pagliocca have done the complete opposite.
Chicago went into this season placing big hopes on free agent acquisition Courtney Vandersloot, who tore her ACL during the team's seventh game. The lack of depth behind her has been a glaring weakness and a major reason for the team's downfall.
Reese doesn't want that to happen again next year. She drew intense criticism for pointing out the obvious — that counting on Vandersloot's return from a major injury at the age of 36 does not sound like a wise plan.
"We can’t rely on Courtney to come back at the age that she’s at," Reese told Poe. "I know she’ll be a great asset for us, but we can’t rely on that. We need someone probably a little younger with some experience, somebody who’s been playing the game and is willing to compete for a championship and has done it before."
Reese went on to insist that the Sky need better players to build around herself and Kamilla Cardoso next season. It's never a good look to call out teammates. But given the Sky's history under Pagliocca, her comments make sense.
MORE: Angel Reese suspended for one half after comments detrimental to team
Angel Reese wasn't wrong to call out the Sky
Pagliocca's poor decision-making is what has caused the Sky to be in such a difficult situation. Drafting Reese was a win, but that's one of the few that he's had.
Pagliocca started destroying the Sky after trading away All-Star Kahleah Copper in 2024 for pennies on the dollar. He made several other bad trades in the aftermath, which has ended up mortgaging the team's future.
The Sky traded their 2026 pick in order to select guard Hailey Van Lith with the No. 11 pick in this year's draft. Van Lith, who had major questions about how her game would translate to the pros, has been a disappointment, averaging just 3.5 points per game and shooting 34 percent from the field.
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Due to that trade, there is a chance that Chicago could hand over the No. 1 pick in the draft to the Lynx in 2026. That risk could also be repeated in 2027, where the Sky will have to swap their first-rounder with the Mystics as part of another bad Pagliocca trade.
Chicago could overcome its bleak draft future if it were a premier destination for free agents. But the team has created a reputation that has led to the complete opposite result.
The Sky were voted as the worst-run franchise in the WNBA in an anonymous poll of players conducted by The Athletic this year. There is a brand-new practice facility in the works, but for now they share space at a suburban public recreation center located 30 miles from their arena. The gym looks more appropriate for a middle school dance than a professional team's training facility. It drew widespread ridicule on social media back when Reese was first introduced by the franchise.
Angel Reese has arrived at Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield. pic.twitter.com/CiqWonDe5s
— Annie Costabile (@AnnieCostabile) April 24, 2024
That cost-cutting shows up throughout the organization. The Sky are handcuffed by an ownership group led by Michael Alter that won't spend to hire a single analytics staffer for their franchise.
Reese is one of the only things the Sky have going for them. They went 1-9 while she was out with a back injury earlier in the season. They were blown out by the Aces in the most recent game that she missed. They've lost 19 of their last 22 games.
Reese could have spoke with more grace, but her frustration was completely understandable to everyone in the city. It's also not new — her comments were eerily reminiscent of Chicago Bulls star Jimmy Butler back in 2017, who called out his younger teammates and urged Fred Hoiberg to coach the team harder while playing for a franchise plagued by poor management and cheap ownership.
Butler was traded shortly thereafter, making two NBA Finals appearances with the Heat. The Bulls have done nothing of relevance in the aftermath.
If the Sky don't listen to Reese's pleas, history is likely to repeat in Chicago.