The Chicago Sky are entering the 2026 WNBA season with a renewed sense of purpose—and for good reason. After a tough 10-34 campaign that included trading star Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream, the franchise has undergone a dramatic roster overhaul that has fans and analysts alike wondering: Could this be the year the Sky finally soar above expectations?

Let's be honest, the Sky have been through the wringer. An anonymous player poll even labeled them the worst-run franchise in the league. But that narrative is quickly changing. This offseason, Chicago went on a shopping spree that would make any basketball fan's head spin. They landed veteran floor general Skylar Diggins to run the point, traded for sharpshooters Rickea Jackson (from the Sparks) and Jacy Sheldon (from the Mystics), and added frontcourt muscle with Azura Stevens and two-way versatility with Dijonai Carrington. It's a lineup that suddenly looks deep, balanced, and dangerous.

The Sky also hit the jackpot in the WNBA Draft, grabbing Gabriela Jaquez—a scoring and rebounding machine from national champion UCLA—with the No. 5 pick. They followed up with Latasha Lattimore (Ole Miss) and Tonie Morgan (Kentucky) in later rounds, and signed undrafted talents Aicha Coulibaly and Sydney Taylor to round out the roster. All these newcomers join a returning core that includes Kamilla Cardoso, Rachel Banham, Elizabeth Williams, and Maddy Westbeld. Suddenly, Chicago isn't just rebuilding—they're reloading.

But talent on paper doesn't win games. For the Sky to turn their offseason buzz into real success, three things need to fall into place. First and foremost: health. Last season, injuries derailed their top players, including Reese's season-ending back issue and Courtney Vandersloot's nagging problems. General manager Jeff Pagliocca revealed at media day that the team has completely overhauled its medical staff to keep key players on the court. If Diggins, Jackson, and Stevens can stay healthy, this team has the firepower to compete with anyone.

Second, the chemistry has to click—fast. With so many new faces, the Sky will need to build trust and rhythm early in the season. That means Diggins orchestrating the offense, Jackson and Sheldon stretching defenses, and Cardoso anchoring the paint. If they can mesh quickly, Chicago could surprise a lot of people.

Finally, the Sky need to embrace their underdog mentality. No one is picking them to contend for a title this year, but that's exactly where they thrive. If they can channel that chip-on-the-shoulder energy into consistent effort on both ends of the floor, a playoff berth isn't just a dream—it's a real possibility.

So, are the Chicago Sky ready to exceed expectations? The pieces are in place. Now it's time to see if they can put it all together. One thing's for sure: this season is going to be fun to watch.