Three of the Sky’s biggest names — Angel Reese, Courtney Vandersloot and Ariel Atkins — will not be conducting voluntary exit interviews, the Sky announced on Monday.
The rest of the team completed theirs a little over a week ago.
Though we learned some key information from those interviews — such as that Vandersloot is returning to the team next season — we’re left with a few big questions.
Heading into the offseason, here are the biggest elephants in the room.
What is the level of trust between Reese and the Sky?
Since Reese’s half-game suspension on Sept. 8, this has been a bit of black box.
General manager Jeff Pagliocca said in his exit interview that the organization has “moved on” from Reese’s suspension and expects her to return next season. Head coach Tyler Marsh, too, said he had “no reason to believe” her commitment to the team had changed.
She is technically under contract for two more seasons.
Reese, however, has not spoken about her relationship with the Sky since being suspended for publicly questioning the roster. When asked about it in Las Vegas, she declined to answer.
By that time she had apologized to the team publicly and privately, but dynamics on the bench had clearly changed.
Since the Sky’s 10-34 season ended, Reese has been busy with public appearances, vacation, and the launch of her signature shoe, the Angel Reese Ones.
But how is she feeling about the Sky?
We may have to wait until Season 2 of Reese‘s podcast, Unapologetically Angel, to find out.
How interested is Atkins in returning to the Sky?
Exit interviews rarely confirm whether players are returning, but they do give hints. For example: free agents Elizabeth Williams and Rachel Banham both expressed interest in returning next season, while Rebecca Allen and Michaela Onyenwere seemed more inclined to play the field.
Atkins’ decision matters more because of what the Sky gave up to get her: the draft pick that became the Mystics’ All-Star Sonia Citron, and a pick swap in 2027.
Pagliocca gave up so much for a player on a one-year deal because he thought her experience on the team might convince her to stay longer.
He was also sold on her impact on the culture, and the trade had Vandersloot’s full support.
That Citron outplayed Atkins in her rookie season — outscoring her and shooting better from deep — didn’t cause Pagliocca much regret.
Will his assessment of the deal change if Atkins declines to become a part of the long-term core?
So far, she hasn’t given any indication one way or the other. Even before Reese’s interview heard ‘round the world, Atkins told the Sun-Times she didn’t yet know if she wanted to return.
Are Vandersloot and Reese on the same page?
After tearing her anterior cruciate ligament early in the season, the Sky are bullish on Vandersloot’s return to the team next year. Marsh acknowledged that the team was “Sloot dependent” and is eager to see what the vision looks like with her healthy.
However, Vandersloot was reportedly not pleased about Reese’s declaration that they “need somebody younger” at the point guard position. She said in a local television interview that age was “not a factor” in her return.
Where do Reese and Vandersloot stand now? Have they buried the hatchet? Found common ground? Started a Snapchat streak? It’s only the future of the team hanging in the balance.
For this rebuild to get off the ground, the Sky’s longtime face of the franchise (Vandersloot) will have to gel with the face of its future (Reese).
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