Chicago Sky Land Potential Franchise Cornerstones in ESPN's Latest WNBA Mock Draft

The Chicago Sky will look to usher in a new era of basketball this season as WNBA legend Teresa Weatherspoon takes over as the new head coach. 

The Sky will try to rebuild this season after they shockingly traded All-Star Kahleah Copper to the Phoenix Mercury and saw Courtney Williams sign a two-year contract with the Minnesota Lynx. The oddsmakers don’t expect Chicago to do much as they have the worst odds to win the WNBA title this season (+10000 on FanDuel Sportsbook).

However, all's not lost for Chicago as they have a good core of veteran players (Diamond DeShields, Isabelle Harrison, Brianna Turner, and Marina Mabrey), and young players at the guard spot like Dana Evans and Chennedy Carter.

Weatherspoon has something to work with heading into this season, but the Sky will look to find one or more two franchise players in next week’s WNBA Draft. Chicago has the third and eighth overall picks in the first round.

The last time Chicago had a top-3 pick in the draft, they took DeShields in 2018, which was a good selection. ESPN’s Michael Voepel unveiled his latest mock draft on Wednesday, and if you are a Sky fan, you might be happy with who he picked to come to the Windy City.

2024 WNBA Mock Draft: Chicago Bolsters Frontcourt With Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso

With the third pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Voepel has the Sky taking former South Carolina star center and national champion, Kamilla Cardoso. Many Sky fans like the idea of the team taking University of Tennessee standout Rickea Jackson at No. 3, but Cardoso could help Chicago in the frontcourt.

The 6-foot-7 center was dominant this season under head coach Dawn Staley, showcasing her offensive prowess and rebounding. Cardoso posted 14.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game.

She also had a ridiculous 128.6 ORtg (offensive rating) and 73 DRtg (defensive rating), which showed how good Cardoso was this season. Voepel highlights Cardoso’s effectiveness on the glass and in the post but mentions that Sky needs to have patience with her.

Then with their second pick in the first round, Voepel has Sky taking Angel Reese at No. 8, which could be their future frontcourt. 

Reese had an outstanding collegiate career like Cardoso, dropping 17 points, 20 rebounds, and four assists in the Elite 8 against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Reese was one of the best rebounders in the country, averaging 12.3 boards per game for her career and 13.4 this season (second in the NCAA).

However, Voepel wonders how Reese’s offensive game will translate at the next level, which is a fair question. But at the same time, Chicago could be the perfect spot for her as they won’t ask her to carry the team with the core of vets that they do have.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.