A top Chicago Sky executive is speaking out about Angel Reese’s future with the organization amid speculation about a falling out between the two sides.
Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca addressed chatter that Reese might be traded after her controversial comments about the organization’s direction. Pagliocca simply said Reese is on the roster “until I hear differently,” and that everyone was moving on from the late-season controversy.
“Angel is an ascending young talent in this league who’s had two very, very good seasons here in Chicago,” Pagliocca said, via Alexa Philippou of ESPN. “Obviously we went through what we did. I feel like we closed the chapter on it. She spoke to her teammates. She spoke publicly. We moved on as a team. She’s a special player. And I have good conversations with Angel daily, with her team daily. They’re constant, and they’re productive.”
Reese said in an interview that she expects roster upgrades for next season, and threatened to move to another team if things do not improve. Her comments reportedly bothered her teammates and led the Sky to suspend her. While Pagliocca might be trying to downplay the situation, there are some signals that all is still not well between Reese and the team.
Reese finished the year with averages of 14.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. However, the team went just 10-34, and was never in contention after losing guard Courtney Vandersloot to a season-ending injury seven games into the year.
The Sky do not have to seriously consider trading Reese, who still has two years remaining on her rookie contract. If the trust between herself and the organization is fundamentally broken, however, it might be something they consider.
