The Sky pulled it off.
Six-time All-WNBA guard Skylar Diggins will sign with the Sky, the team announced Saturday. It’s a two-year deal worth $1.86 million, per Her Hoop Stats.
“Skylar is a player we have coveted for years,” general manager Jeff Pagliocca said. “We are ecstatic to bring her to Chicago. She is one of the all-time elite passers in our game and continues to play at a high level on both sides of the ball.”
Pagliocca took a big swing and missed on Diggins in 2024, his first offseason as GM. She signed with the Storm instead, where she averaged 15.3 points and 6.2 assists over the last two years.
Landing her now changes the team’s trajectory.
The Sky now have Diggins, Kamilla Cardoso, Azura Stevens, Elizabeth Williams, Jacy Sheldon, Hailey Van Lith and Maddy Westbeld under contract.
They’re also reportedly in talks to trade Ariel Atkins to the Sparks for Rickea Jackson.
A starting lineup of Diggins, Cardoso, Stevens and Jackson may sound a little odd, and would still need a shooting guard. But it has talent, size and dynamism — the makings of a team that could compete for a playoff spot.
The Sky stumbled out of the gates in free agency when they dealt away Angel Reese — a young franchise pillar — to the Dream for future picks.
But Diggins’ arrival signals a turnaround. She could be the Sky’s most impactful free-agent addition since Emma Meesseman in 2022.
“Diggins is the kind of player who elevates everyone around her,” coach Tyler Marsh said. “Skylar is a true veteran leader, and she possesses unmatched speed and shot creation potential. I can’t wait to work with her.”
Diggins, 35, grew up 90 miles southeast of Chicago in South Bend, Indiana.