Fact Check: Is Angel Reese Leaving Chicago Sky Amid Latest Trade Rumor?

As soon as Angel Reese’s interview with the Chicago Tribune was released, shockwaves were sent through the basketball world. While some were appreciative of her raw candor, others questioned the intention and timing of her comments. Things got so intense that even the team had to intervene and suspend their best player for the first half of the game against the Las Vegas Aces. While people in the basketball world had their own takes on whether the comments were right or wrong, the rumors of her wanting to leave the Chicago Sky started regardless. 

In her interview, Angel Reese made it very clear that she needed the front office to work and build a competitive team around her. While maintaining her position of spending her wish to spend her entire career with the team, she made sure the light a fire under the management by saying she might have to “move in a different direction” if things remained the same in the 2026 WNBA season as well. Her comments like these have led to many fans on social media giving out their own reaction. Some even built mock trade scenarios for where Angel Reese could move next. 

One such mock trade came from a fan who seems to be a fan of the upcoming expansion team, the Portland Fire. He suggested a trade that would send Angel Reese to the Portland Fire in exchange for one first-round pick and one second-round pick, and one third-round pick. Regardless of whether the Chicago Sky would go for an offer like this or not, the fact of the matter is, as of now, Angel Reese has not demanded a trade. Yes, she has hinted towards asking for one, but that is only in a scenario if the Chicago Sky are unable to build a squad that is good enough to compete.

Potential trade between Portland Fire and Chicago Sky to find Angel Reese a new home in Portland

Portland gets a superstar right away and Chicago would get a haul of draft picks to continue to rebuild despite everyone knowing Angel wants out…

Thoughts?#WNBA pic.twitter.com/w6TUe8bHX2

— Fire Lead (@FireLeadSM) September 7, 2025

Just a day after her interview came out, Angel Reese released a statement apologizing to the team. However, that apology seemed to do little to quash these rumors as the social media is still buzzing with fans’ opinions about the whole scenario. Another chapter was written in this saga as Courtney Vandersloot seems to have taken a dig at Angel Reese’s comments about her age. 

Angel Reese’s teammate hits back at her ‘age concerns’

While Angel Reese’s interview was full of intriguing comments, there was a particular player named by Angel Reese as an example. Reese had pointed out Courtney Vandersloot as someone they can’t rely on due to her age. Courtney Vandersloot had made her return to the Chicago Sky after two incredibly successful seasons with the defending Champions, New York Liberty. 

With her long history in the league (and with the Chicago Sky), she was expected to handle to ball-handling duties and try to rekindle her Candace Parker-esque connection with Angel Reese. However, the sporting gods had other plans as just seven games into her second stint with the Sky, she suffered an ACL injury and was ruled out for the rest of the season. While talking about the Sky’s prospects for the coming season, Angel Reese had said that you can’t rely on Courtney Vandersloot to come back at the age she is. 

Courtney, who will turn 37 before the next season begins, made sure to address any concerns about her age and reaffirmed her intent on coming back. She said in an interview, “Contrary to what people say or think, my age is absolutely not a factor; I am coming back.” Her statement seemed to many like an indirect dig at Angel Reese. 

Whether Angel Reese’s comments during the interview will have the desired effects or not, that remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: this is going to be an exciting off-season for the Chicago Sky. Will they see another star join Angel Reese? Or will the fears of many will come true with Angel Reese asking out?

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