With the draft lottery and expansion draft now done, all eyes go to the WNBA free agent market. Before we get into who the Sky could pick up as a free agent, there is something a bit different about how the free agent market will look this year.

The WNBA Players Association did opt out in October of their current collective bargaining agreement that was set to expire in 2027. Now, this opt-out will not cause a work stoppage for the 2025 season, but it will affect the types of contracts players will sign. Most – if not all – free agents will most likely only sign 1-year deals because of the new WNBA media rights deal set to kick in in 2026.

With that in mind, that could lead to some really tricky, wacky and fun moves for the older veterans while also giving the younger players the chance to see if they’ll fit into a different system. The WNBA this season also looks a whole lot different when it comes to head coaches; 7 teams have different faces at the head coach spot for 2025.

All that said, let’s take a look at some names that could join the Chicago Sky in 2025. Reminder: free agency conversations can start Jan. 21 with contracts being signed starting on Feb. 1.  I’ve separated these out by level of priority and the chances of them coming to the Windy City.

Go and get ‘em

Jewell Loyd, G (Seattle Storm)

Yes, Jewell Loyd is not a free agent. However, with issues arising in the Seattle Storm’s locker room, the Chicagoland native, 6-time WNBA All-Star and 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist has requested a trade from the Storm. Will Seattle let her go for the right price?

I believe so. Here’s the proposed trade in mind: Sky send the 2025 No. 10 pick, a 2026 2nd round pick and Lindsay Allen to Seattle in return for Jewell Loyd.

Would it still be a 1-year deal? Most likely, but how can the Niles West grad say no to playing in her hometown for a year with her family and friends in the stands? Loyd’s a floor general with a lethal shot which aligns perfectly with new head coach Tyler Marsh’s focus on getting shooters. If it does blend well, the Sky can set themselves up to keep Loyd in Chicago for 2026 and beyond. 

Chennedy Carter, G (Chicago Sky)

Chennedy Carter is a restricted free agent, meaning the Sky still own her rights, but another team can match the offer. Carter’s explosiveness offensively was a huge catalyst in late-game scenarios for the Sky throughout the 2024 season and she led the team with 17.5 points a game in 2024. Re-signing Carter aligns with Marsh’s offensive identity; Carter is even expanding her shooting range while playing in China, averaging 30-40 points a game thus far.

Take stats out of the picture for a moment: Carter truly connected with the Chicago fanbase. She’s said that if Chicago wanted her back, she’d entertain the option. Keeping a fan favorite who’s also lighting it up from all over the hardwood is a solid option to have in the backcourt.

Michaela Onyenwere, F (Chicago Sky)

Michaela Onyenwere is in the same boat as Carter as a restricted free agent. She really hasn’t found a team where she can settle in and develop in her career. Chicago could be that place for her; when she did get the minutes in 2024, Onyenwere contributed across the stat sheet. 

Not only does she blend in wherever she plays, but she truly can play any position. Her versatility, strength and size is something the Sky desperately need at the wing spot. Outside of her offensive contributions, her defensive physicality is something that will work on any team, so why not give her some stability and keep her in Chicago?

DiJonai Carrington, G-F (Connecticut Sun)

Now, I have been preaching for DiJonai Carrington to come to Chicago all season long. 

And I still stand by it. Carrington is also a restricted free agent, so there would need to be a bit of work done if she were to leave the Sun. However, there could be a trade of RFA’s that I think Connecticut would entertain: send Dana Evans and a 2027 draft pick in return for DiJonai Carrington.

The 2024 WNBA Most Improved Player may want to try out a new spot with the Sun bringing in a new head coach in Rachid Meziane. Her defensive intensity and straight speed would give the Sky the ability to run a pure transitional style of offense. She also has the ability to play the wing if needed, which adds depth to a spot the Sky desperately needs.

Solid call off the bench

Kennedy Burke, G-F (New York Liberty)

One thing that general manager Jeff Pagliocca does take into consideration is finding positional size. Kennedy Burke fits into that mold standing at 6-foot-1 as a wing. 

Looking at her career stats, it doesn’t paint the proper picture of what Burke can do. She’s fought for minutes on just about every team she’s played for over the past 5 seasons. When she does get in the game, she’s got a hot hand with a career field goal percentage of 42.3% while also having the ability to crash the boards underneath.

Burke would slide in beautifully alongside her UCLA teammate in Michaela Onyenwere in the wings rotation. She just spent last season with the reigning WNBA champions in New York so she knows what it takes to win. Add that mentality and her overall versatility and she’s a sneaky wing option that will make an impact wherever she lands.

Natisha Hiedeman, G (Minnesota Lynx)

Now, going for Natisha Hiedeman would negate the size component that the Sky are looking for as she stands at just 5-foot-8. However, her 6 years of experience in postseason programs with both the Sun and the Lynx can be vital for such a youthful Sky team needing some veteran help.

Hiedeman is also a floor general who’s spent a majority of her career playing alongside former Sky guard Courtney Williams. They both have similarities in their handles and abilities to find their teammates anywhere on the floor. While she’s not the highest scorer, she’s a solid choice if the Sky can’t get Jewell Loyd.

Tiffany Hayes, G (Las Vegas Aces)

This one is a bit strange but bear with me for just a second. The Sky need guard play more than anything AND they need veteran presence. With just who’s on contract, Chicago is a really young squad in every position, especially in the backcourt.

Enter Tiffany ‘Tip’ Hayes. The 12-year veteran is a deep shooting threat while also finding her teammates in every system she’s played in in her career. She just spent last season with Marsh in Las Vegas, provides a veteran presence for the team and can produce offensively with her 13.2 points per game career average. For 1 year, she’s a piece that can contribute on the floor and play a part in player development, a win-win for the Sky if she doesn’t re-retire.

It’s a stretch but…

Nneka Ogwumike, F (Seattle Storm)

It’s a repeat of the 2024 free agency market all over again with Nneka Ogwumike available yet again. She did make a trip to Chicago last winter and said the Sky were in her final 3 when it came to making her decision in 2024.

Now, the Storm are undergoing some turmoil this offseason which means Ogwumike may want out of Seattle and start looking at other options. The 13-year veteran, 9-time All-Star and 2016 WNBA Champion & MVP provides a wealth of knowledge and talent that will fit into any system across the league.

Ogwumike also has become close with Angel Reese this season, especially after the 2024 All-Star game. Having her teach and help develop Reese is something that Marsh and the Sky shouldn’t pass up if they want to shell out the money for the big name.

Satou Sabally, F (Dallas Wings)

These last two players are a real stretch, but Satou Sabally is another forward that would fit in beautifully. Do I see Dallas letting her leave? No, but Sabally is the one with the power in this situation. 

If she were to come to Chicago, expect the departure of Onyenwere and possibly Carter. Sabally has the same build and tenacity of Onyenwere but with a higher volume offensively. She averaged just shy of 18 points a game while shooting 42.6% from the arc in a limited 2024 season. The Reese-Sabally pairing could be incredibly nasty from all over the court if Sabally was to come to Chicago.

Kelsey Plum, G (Las Vegas Aces)

This move is a full pipe dream with Las Vegas more than likely not going to let Kelsey Plum leave Sin City. However, let’s have some fun for a moment.

If the Sky were to go after Plum, expect Allen, Evans and Moriah Jefferson gone. Now, a Plum-Carter or a Plum-Banham guard pairing would be absolutely electric to witness every single game with the ball just flying all over the floor and 3s galore. The speed and physicality Plum has as a driving guard is something that you just don’t see often; if she wanted to reunite with Marsh in Chicago, that offensive scheme may push the Sky into a playoff-caliber team in just one year.