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Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky are reportedly out of the race to sign Seattle Storm star Jewell Loyd. The guard requested a trade away from the Storm in December, which made the Sky get to work to try to land her ahead of the 2025 season, but talks between the two franchises have stalled.
According to Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Sky are unlikely to land the veteran who would have taken them to a new level in 2025. Instead, they have identified two-time WNBA champion Courtney Vandersloot as general manager Jeff Pagliocca’s top target.
In the case their Plan B doesn’t work, Lindsay Allen and Moriah Jefferson will have a bigger role on the Chicago Sky next season. Meanwhile, Loyd is excited about her future, predicting she’ll experience better teams in the next 10 years.
“I fully believe the next 10 years of my life will be the best 10 years. I’ve learned a lot throughout everything, whether it be in the W, overseas, different business transactions.
“For me, it’s just about finding myself, staying true to who I am, and getting back to having peace throughout everything.”
Loyd has immediate family in Chicago, but not even that is moving the needle for the two-time WNBA champion. She’s playing with former Storm teammate Breanna Stewart on Team Mist, which could open the door for the New York Liberty.
That said, Costabile reports that Loyd’s desired destination is Las Vegas, as the Aces are reportedly set to part ways with the Kelsey Plum.
Chicago Sky’s target Jewell Loyd was eliminated by the Aces in the 2024 playoffs
In what could be a full-circle moment, Jewell Loyd might join the team that ended her 2024 WNBA season instead of the Chicago Sky. The Las Vegas Aces swept the Seattle Storm in the first round of the 2024 playoff after a tumultuous regular season for the Storm. Despite gathering talented players like Skylar Diggins-Smith, Ezi Magbegor, Gabby Williams and Nneka Ogwumike, they couldn’t do much in the postseason.
The Aces cored Kelsey Plum on Jan. 11, meaning the only way they can part with her is via sign-and-trade. The Storm alone might not be enough to unlock negotiations with the Aces, but if they can find more teams to complete this trade, they could shock the W.
In 37 games played, the 10-year veteran averaged 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 36% from the field and 88.1% from the free-throw line.
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Edited by Orlando Silva
