Chicago Sky GM’s critique of the team sounds a lot like what Angel Reese said

Chicago Sky reporter Karli Bell shared a series of interviews she conducted with several members of the team’s roster on Friday, September 12, but her conversation with GM Jeff Pagliocca is grabbing a lot of attention. And that’s for a good reason, as some of Pagliocca’s feedback and admissions seem to mirror what Angel Reese told the Chicago Tribune earlier this month.

Pagliocca told Bell he still stands by the Sky’s preseason moves, and noted that the team’s front office “brought vets in here that absolutely strengthened our locker room and that’s a component of winning.” But he acknowledged that “a lot got derailed” and that the team was hit with a huge — and unexpected — problem when Courtney Vandersloot tore her ACL early in the season.

He also took responsibility for the team’s disappointing record (the Sky finished the 2025 season as the No. 12 overall team with 10 wins and 34 losses). “The record was disappointing, I was disappointed with it and again that starts with me,” Pagliocca said. But he added that the team has a lot to look forward to next year: “We have 4 draft picks next season, a practice facility and I think those are going to be things that matter.”

Later in the conversation, Pagliocca also seemed to knowledge the team’s roster wasn’t quite as strong as it could be. “I think we need to improve the roster. We are committed to getting back to a place where we are competing with the best teams in the league,” he explained.

It’s that comment that has surprised a few fans who don’t see it as too different from what Reese previously said. (Reese told reporter Julia Poe, “I’m not settling for the same s— we did this year. We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me. I’m willing and wanting to play with the best.”)

Of course, it’s important to point out that a GM and an athlete on a roster have two very different roles in any organization, and just because their comments appear to be similar doesn’t mean that it was acceptable for Reese to seemingly slam her teammates. (The 23-year-old later apologized and noted she did not “intentionally mean to put down my teammates.”)

The future of the Sky, and indeed, of Reese’s relationship with the Sky remains unclear. Pagliocca also told Bell he’s operating under the assumption that Reese will remain in Chicago for the duration of her rookie contract, which includes next year (and the Sky can choose to exercise the fourth-year option after that).