What Angel Reese, Sky need to become a real contender in WNBA

The Chicago Sky were defeated by the Indiana Fever on Saturday. It was a difficult game for Chicago. Although the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese incident received no shortage of attention, the Sky’s underperformance should not be overlooked. This is a Sky team with multiple questions to answer, but there is one specific issue that must be addressed sooner rather than later.

Angel Reese scored 12 points to lead Chicago in the game. Reese, a 23-year-old in her second season, averaged 13.6 points per outing a season ago. She is capable of scoring 20 or more points at times, but the truth that Chicago must accept is that Reese doesn’t have much help in the scoring department.

Ariel Atkins — who was acquired during the offseason — scored 11 points against the Fever. Reese and Atkins were the only players who recorded double-digit points. Atkins has averaged 13.4 points per game for her career and she is certainly another player who is capable of producing big numbers in any given contest.

However, the Sky don’t have a truly reliable scorer. They don’t have a player who they know can score close to or more than 20 points on a consistent basis. Chennedy Carter, who is technically a free agent but is currently playing in Mexico, finished fourth in Most Improved Player a season ago with Chicago while averaging 17.5 points per outing.

The chances of the Sky re-signing Carter are slim, but Chicago needs to find a way to replace her production. Reese plays her role well. She is a forward who can score at a respectable level while producing elite numbers in the rebounding department. She isn’t a player who is going to have 17 or more points per game at this point in her career, however.

So what should the Sky do? How can they address this issue?

At the moment, there isn’t much they can do in all reality. The Sky can monitor the trade market ahead of the deadline later in the season. If Chicago believes they are a scorer away from contending, the Sky could make a deal.

Angel Reese is the best player on the Chicago Sky right now, but she needs another scorer to help her lead the way. If Chicago is able to add a 17 or more points per game type of player, their ceiling as a team will increase without question.