{"id":12967,"date":"2024-11-02T02:46:56","date_gmt":"2024-11-02T02:46:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=12967"},"modified":"2024-11-02T02:46:56","modified_gmt":"2024-11-02T02:46:56","slug":"kelsey-mitchell-could-upset-caitlin-clark-as-the-fever-star-joins-61-chicago-sky-rival-in-the-offseason-adventure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=12967","title":{"rendered":"Kelsey Mitchell Could Upset Caitlin Clark as the Fever Star Joins 6\u20191 Chicago Sky Rival in the Offseason Adventure"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Angel Reese will be hoping her 2025 with the Chicago Sky ends on a happier note than this year \u2013 and if they can get a few key calls right, their rising star could have a dream 12 months.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\"Angel<\/p>\n

Angel Reese could only watch on as the Chicago Sky\u2019s playoff hopes faded<\/span>\u00a0(Image: Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n

The 2024 season\u00a0ended in major disappointment\u00a0for\u00a0Angel Reese\u00a0and the\u00a0Chicago\u00a0Sky.<\/p>\n

They remained in contention for the playoffs up until the climax of the regular season, but a run of five straight defeats \u2013 all of which Reese was absent for due to her broken wrist \u2013 ended their hopes. It also cost head coach Teresa Weatherspoon her job.<\/p>\n

\n

The Sky now have ample opportunity to regroup ahead of next year and can look to build on the massive potential Reese showed with her\u00a0WNBA-leading 13.1 rebounds per game. For her, a dream scenario may look something like this\u2026<\/p>\n

Stephanie White appointed<\/h3>\n

There\u2019s now fierce competition for Stephanie White\u2019s signature after the Indiana Fever sacked Christie Sides. Given her history with the Fever as a player and coach, there\u2019s a popular school of thought that they\u2019ll be favourites to secure her \u2013 but she\u2019s also familiar with Chicago having been the Sky\u2019s assistant from 2007 to 2010.<\/p>\n

While the\u00a0allure of working with Caitlin Clark\u00a0is certainly strong, the 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year has made no secret of her admiration for Reese. White sang the 22-year-old\u2019s praises after the Connecticut Sun, who parted ways with her following their second consecutive playoffs semi-finals appearance, edged out the Sky 82-80 in August.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer activity level is just so good,\u201d she said. \u201cEven if she\u2019s not scoring the basketball she\u2019s making plays. She\u2019s getting opportunities for her team-mates, she\u2019s getting offensive rebounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s an elite rebounder. That\u2019s a skillset that she came into this league with. Her offensive game is continuing to grow\u2026 But her activity level is elite, and it makes her really tough to defend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Head<\/p>\n

Stephanie White would be a coup for the Sky<\/span>\u00a0(Image: Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n

Kelsey Mitchell signs<\/h3>\n

Beating the Fever to White would be one in the eye for their WNBA rivals, and so would snatching Kelsey Mitchell from under their noses. The free agent is yet to have given any indication of her plans ahead of the signing period in February.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose conversations are going to have to be had, and I\u2019m gonna do what\u2019s best for me,\u201d Mitchell said in August. \u201cIt\u2019s always going to be a business, so I\u2019m excited to explore free agency. I\u2019ve never been a free agent in my professional career, so I\u2019m excited to see where it goes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

The Fever are naturally eager to re-sign her after one of the best years of her career. A franchise-record seven straight 20+ scoring games saw her finish with a 19.2 average, placing her eighth in the standings \u2013 but maybe she\u2019ll prefer a new challenge, which the Sky would be wise to offer.<\/p>\n

Chennedy Carter stays<\/h3>\n

\"Caitlin<\/p>\n

Chennedy Carter (right) proved her worth and some in 2024<\/span>\u00a0(Image: Getty Images)<\/span>
\nMitchell\u2019s arrival would fill the potential hole of losing Chennedy Carter, who shares a similar play style. But just as the Fever will be keen to keep hold of their top free agent, so should the Sky.<\/p>\n

Her 17.5 points average and 48.7% shooting was a big reason why they were within a chance of making the playoffs. And pairing her with Mitchell could be a risk with a major reward.<\/p>\n

Salary cap increase<\/h3>\n

All of the above would put Reese in a brilliant position to excel in her sophomore year and target the championship. On a personal level, 2025 could also be a perfect year if the WNBA\u2019s salary cap is increased as expected.<\/p>\n

She recently bemoaned the fact that her reported $73,439 (\u00a356k) annual pay packet doesn\u2019t even cover her $8k-a-month rent. \u201cHatin\u2019 pays them bills baby,\u201d she joked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just hope y\u2019all know the WNBA don\u2019t pay my bills at all. I don\u2019t even think that pays one of my bills. I\u2019m living beyond my means like y\u2019all.\u201d<\/p>\n

That could be set to change drastically after the Women\u2019s National Basketball Players Association opted out of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which will now expire on October 31, 2025, instead of after the 2027 season.<\/p>\n

Player salaries will undoubtedly be at the forefront of negotiations over a new deal, with the WNBPA seeking an equity-based model. The WNBA\u2019s new TV deal is set bring an influx of cash into the league, which will be a welcome boost for Reese if or when she gets her hands on some of it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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