The Chicago Sky’s season is officially nearing its end. While the team’s postseason hopes appeared buried when Angel Reese sustained her back injury a month ago, they were confirmed last week when the team was eliminated from contention.

Despite missing out on a Playoff spot, Chicago has reason to be excited about the future. Not only did Reese show flashes of the all-around star Head Coach Tyler Marsh envisions her to be, but she did so while being shorthanded.

While Chicago fans will be disappointed at this early end to their season, they will be optimistic as they look to the future. With Reese playing recruiter, the Sky’s 2026 season could be glorious.

Who Is Angel Reese Recruiting to Chicago?

Speaking to the media before their latest game in Phoenix, Reese gave an insight into her relationships with Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper, teasing the possibility of a super Sky squad next year.

“I mean, I want to play with the best. They’re here, obviously, in Phoenix, but I would love for Kahleah to come back to Chicago and try to recruit [them]. And even just being able to take small things from them, I’ve learned a lot from them,” said Reese.

Reese’s relationship with Thomas didn’t have the brightest start, as the Phoenix Mercury forward essentially clotheslined her in their first meeting. The LSU alum, however, took it in the right spirit, as she appreciated Thomas’ intensity on a welcome to the league moment. Although Thomas’ performances have made her a leading MVP candidate, doubts around her dynamic with Reese and a possible fit make the acquisition less likely.

On the other hand, Copper has become a close friend of Reese since the two played together for Team Rose in the Unrivaled league. The two share a playful dynamic, with Reese jokingly calling Copper “grandma” at times. The four-time All-Star had spent seven years in Chicago before she was traded to the Mercury last year and played a crucial role in the Sky’s 2021 WNBA title, for which she also received the Finals MVP.

However, with Copper having left merely a year ago, whether or not she returns remains a question.

What Does the Future Hold for Chicago?

Injuries have stripped the Sky of what promised to be a return to the postseason. Starting with Courtney Vandersloot’s ACL tear in June, crucial members of the squad have sustained injuries at different points of the season. While Ariel Atkins had been out of action since mid-July due to a leg injury, Reese experienced tightness in her back a week before Atkins was set to return.

The team has rarely been at full strength this season. While Vandersloot and Atkins’ playing time was unfortunately cut short this year, their availability for 2026 also remains in doubt. Both stars are set to be free agents next year, and with multiple teams expected to splash the cash, retaining them could prove difficult.

Read More: ‘The Sky Is the Limit’ – WNBA Legend Makes Bold Statement on Angel Reese’s Two-Way Potential

These stars are among the elite free agents who will be available next year in what is expected to be one of the most thrilling offseasons in the league. Due to the Collective Bargaining Agreement expected to be signed this year, many stars around the league have positioned themselves as free agents next year when teams can provide bigger contracts.

Copper’s comeback could be exactly what Chicago needs. The addition of a proven championship-level scorer could take the burden off of Reese and Kamila Cardoso, who can then continue to develop. While Reese has done well with the ball in her hands this year, teams constantly attempt to double her in the post. That will change upon Copper’s arrival due to the gravity she holds as a scorer and put them right in the mix for a title.

The 2026 offseason holds the potential to cause a cosmic shift in the WNBA landscape.