The Sky's plan for the No. 3 pick could include packaging it in a trade
Now that the draft order is determined, Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca can really get down to business. After the Sky landed the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft, the obvious consideration is what young star Pagliocca could target. At the top of that list is Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles. The more intriguing and not entirely unrealistic option is how Pagliocca might end up packaging the pick in a trade. "The top priority is going to be shooting," Pagliocca said following the draft lottery.In just a few words, Pagliocca said a mouthful. The top picks in the upcoming draft beyond UConn guard Paige Bueckers — who is expected to be selected by the Wings at No. 1 after they won the lottery sweepstakes — are USC forward Kiki Iriafen, Miles and UConn shooting guard Azzi Fudd. As talented as Iriafen is, the Sky don't need another big with Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso and veteran Elizabeth Williams in their front court. Miles isn't going to answer the Sky's shooting concerns and Fudd is returning from an injury this season, so there will be questions about her bounce back."It takes a little bit to adjust to our league," Pagliocca added. "But in all reality, we're going to be looking for wings when we can get them." What Pagliocca was indirectly saying is that the player he's looking for might not be found in the draft. This brings up a two-part question: What team might be interested in the Sky's No. 3 pick and do they have a shooter they are willing to move? One intriguing option is Sparks shooting guard Rae Burrell. Her averages don't paint the full picture of the shooter she could develop into. After being sidelined the majority of her rookie season with a knee injury, Burrell averaged 3.6 points per game in 2023 playing 11 minutes per game. Last year, she averaged six points per game playing 15.6 minutes. Her game logs from the second half of last season offer a glimpse at her potential. Burrell averages only improved slightly, but she had five games with 14 points or more, including an 18-point performance against the Storm. Considering new coach Tyler Marsh's player development skills, Burrell could be an intriguing option for the Sky to pursue. The Sparks landed the No. 2 pick in the lottery despite having the best odds to secure the top pick. The possibility of adding the No. 3 pick and a chance to draft Miles might intrigue the Sparks enough to part with Burrell. A more lofty trade to pursue would be for Storm guard Jewell Loyd. The Niles West product has previously spoken about the franchise as always being one step behind. Trading Loyd might also be a non-starter for the Storm, who signed her to an extension last year. Ultimately, Pagliocca could find the shooters he needs in free agency and keep the No. 3 pick, in which case Miles is an early favorite. The Sky will also have the No. 10 pick which Pagliocca acquired in the trade with the Sun for guard Marina Mabrey. While most mock drafts have raised concerns regarding her three-point shooting, Miles' potential for greatness can be found in her facilitating. There are very few point guards in the WNBA whose mission is to create for their teammates. Liberty guard Courtney Vandersloot and Aces guard Chelsea Gray are in a league of their own regarding facilitating. Miles has shown flashes of that same "eyes in the back of her head" passing style. Those types of guards do not come around often. Bringing Miles in to develop her to be their future floor general is a strong option if he's unable to find the right trade value for the pick. Latest on the Sky and WNBA Chicago Sky and WNBA Sky looking to hit it big in WNBA draft lottery With Angel Reese on hand, Sky enter WNBA draft lottery with chance of landing solid pick as they reshape roster. By Annie Costabile [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone] Chicago Sky and WNBA Storm being investigated for alleged player mistreatment: source The Storm declined to comment when contacted by the Sun-Times. The Women’s National Basketball Players Association confirmed that it was aware of an ongoing investigation of a team but declined to provide details.
Now that the draft order is determined, Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca can really get down to business.
After the Sky landed the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft, the obvious consideration is what young star Pagliocca could target. At the top of that list is Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles. The more intriguing and not entirely unrealistic option is how Pagliocca might end up packaging the pick in a trade.
"The top priority is going to be shooting," Pagliocca said following the draft lottery.
In just a few words, Pagliocca said a mouthful.
The top picks in the upcoming draft beyond UConn guard Paige Bueckers — who is expected to be selected by the Wings at No. 1 after they won the lottery sweepstakes — are USC forward Kiki Iriafen, Miles and UConn shooting guard Azzi Fudd.
As talented as Iriafen is, the Sky don't need another big with Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso and veteran Elizabeth Williams in their front court. Miles isn't going to answer the Sky's shooting concerns and Fudd is returning from an injury this season, so there will be questions about her bounce back.
"It takes a little bit to adjust to our league," Pagliocca added. "But in all reality, we're going to be looking for wings when we can get them."
What Pagliocca was indirectly saying is that the player he's looking for might not be found in the draft. This brings up a two-part question: What team might be interested in the Sky's No. 3 pick and do they have a shooter they are willing to move?
One intriguing option is Sparks shooting guard Rae Burrell.
Her averages don't paint the full picture of the shooter she could develop into. After being sidelined the majority of her rookie season with a knee injury, Burrell averaged 3.6 points per game in 2023 playing 11 minutes per game. Last year, she averaged six points per game playing 15.6 minutes. Her game logs from the second half of last season offer a glimpse at her potential.
Burrell averages only improved slightly, but she had five games with 14 points or more, including an 18-point performance against the Storm. Considering new coach Tyler Marsh's player development skills, Burrell could be an intriguing option for the Sky to pursue.
The Sparks landed the No. 2 pick in the lottery despite having the best odds to secure the top pick. The possibility of adding the No. 3 pick and a chance to draft Miles might intrigue the Sparks enough to part with Burrell.
A more lofty trade to pursue would be for Storm guard Jewell Loyd. The Niles West product has previously spoken about the franchise as always being one step behind. Trading Loyd might also be a non-starter for the Storm, who signed her to an extension last year.
Ultimately, Pagliocca could find the shooters he needs in free agency and keep the No. 3 pick, in which case Miles is an early favorite. The Sky will also have the No. 10 pick which Pagliocca acquired in the trade with the Sun for guard Marina Mabrey.
While most mock drafts have raised concerns regarding her three-point shooting, Miles' potential for greatness can be found in her facilitating. There are very few point guards in the WNBA whose mission is to create for their teammates. Liberty guard Courtney Vandersloot and Aces guard Chelsea Gray are in a league of their own regarding facilitating. Miles has shown flashes of that same "eyes in the back of her head" passing style.
Those types of guards do not come around often. Bringing Miles in to develop her to be their future floor general is a strong option if he's unable to find the right trade value for the pick.
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