Chicago Sky Undergo Roster Overhaul, Coach Defends Moves

Sky GM and coach say they are focused on building the right team culture despite criticism.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:34pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a WNBA basketball game or match, with players and the court broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, conveying the dynamic and evolving nature of the Chicago Sky's roster.The Chicago Sky's roster overhaul reflects the team's commitment to building a championship contender, despite the challenges of constant change.Chicago Today

The Chicago Sky have undergone significant roster changes for the third consecutive season, with multiple starters departing and new players like Skylar Diggins, DiJonai Carrington, and Rickea Jackson joining the team. Head coach Tyler Marsh and GM Jeff Pagliocca defended the team's moves, saying they are focused on building the right culture and being honest with players, even if it means having tough conversations.

Why it matters

The Sky's constant roster turnover has drawn criticism from fans and media, but the team's leadership believes the changes are necessary to build a winning culture. As the WNBA continues to grow in popularity, the Sky's ability to navigate these roster challenges will be crucial to their long-term success.

The details

Since 2024, the Sky have seen multiple starters leave the team, either via trade or the franchise choosing to move on. This offseason, they signed guards Skylar Diggins and DiJonai Carrington and reunited with forward Azurá Stevens, who won a championship with the team in 2021. They also acquired forward Rickea Jackson in a trade. Coach Marsh and GM Pagliocca defended these moves, saying they are focused on building the right culture and being honest with players, even if it means having tough conversations.

  • The Sky's roster has seen significant changes for the third consecutive season.
  • The team made multiple moves during the 2026 WNBA free agency period.

The players

Tyler Marsh

The head coach of the Chicago Sky, who defended the team's roster moves amid criticism.

Jeff Pagliocca

The general manager of the Chicago Sky, who backed Marsh's assessment of the team's direction.

Skylar Diggins

A veteran guard who signed with the Chicago Sky during the 2026 offseason.

DiJonai Carrington

A guard who signed with the Chicago Sky during the 2026 offseason.

Rickea Jackson

A forward who was acquired by the Chicago Sky in a trade during the 2026 offseason.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“What I feel good about is that you don't land the players that we've landed without doing something right. Like, we're heading in the right direction. We're doing things the right way. We got the right people in the building.”

— Tyler Marsh, Head Coach, Chicago Sky

“Players are aware of the negative things that get said on a daily. We're all engaged in social media. We're all engaged in what's going on around us, and we're aware of it.”

— Tyler Marsh, Head Coach, Chicago Sky

“As much as the negative stuff that people want to speak, make sure that you're speaking about the stuff that we do well just as loudly, too.”

— Tyler Marsh, Head Coach, Chicago Sky

“There's a lot of really good people here, and everyone's gonna have opinions. This league has a lot of eyes on it now. The attention has changed dramatically. So you know, narratives can be fair or unfair, but, you know, we're very self-aware.”

— Jeff Pagliocca, General Manager, Chicago Sky

“You know, we're in a new place, and we're excited, but again, we're just gonna keep telling the truth, being honest, and, you know, trust goes both ways, so we're looking forward to it.”

— Jeff Pagliocca, General Manager, Chicago Sky

What’s next

The Sky will look to integrate their new players and build team chemistry as they prepare for the 2026 WNBA season.

The takeaway

The constant roster turnover in Chicago has drawn criticism, but the Sky's leadership believes the changes are necessary to build a winning culture. As the WNBA continues to grow in popularity, the Sky's ability to navigate these challenges will be crucial to their long-term success.