Sky’s so-called Kamilla Cardoso problem is actually a Chennedy Carter problem

The Chicago Sky is struggling right now. The season is young, and the team has plenty of time to catch up and even surprise detractors, but there’s no hiding that fans are disappointed, athletes seem frustrated, and a lot of questions are being raised about the team’s front office.

Kamilla Cardoso was drafted as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She was highly sought player for several reasons: her ability to protect the rim, her scoring capabilities, and her athleticism. Dawn Staley, who coached Cardoso at South Carolina, even once predicted Cardoso would be league MVP — a feat the 6’7″ center is fully capable of achieving.

But Cardoso hasn’t played her best basketball for the Sky, and fans are questioning why. It’s clear she’s talented, but there’s something missing — and perhaps Chicago is not the best home for her after all.

The Sky is missing a key performer

Despite what some have published online, Cardoso works well with teammate Angel Reese (who was drafted at the No. 7 overall spot in 2024). The pair has an offensive chemistry that works, something fans began to see last season as they became more comfortable in the league. Current Sky Coach Tyler Marsh seems to be focused on the team lobbing 3s at the basket, but that’s really the strongest skill for most of his team — other offensive strategies have worked well in the past.

The glaring problem that no one on the Sky seems to want to name is that last season, the team had Chennedy Carter as a shooter, which gave Reese and Cardoso the spacing they need on the floor to excel. Carter departed the team at the end of the season due to off-the-court concerns, and has since played overseas in China and Mexico.

Without a certified shooter, the Sky have floundered. Bringing in Courtney Vandersloot was a great idea, and signing Ariel Atkins also makes sense — but only if they’re a) bringing their best game, and b) able to make up for the shooting threat the Sky lost last year. So far, Vandersloot and Atkins have failed to prove they can meet either challenge (again: the season is young), and that coupled with the killer performance of the Mystics’ Sonia Citron (who the Sky could have drafted if they had not traded for Atkins) is casting uncertainty, doubt, and skepticism across the entire Sky front office.