The Chicago Sky are set to lose their top scorer from 2024 because of locker room drama.
On Monday, Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca chose not to extend a qualifying offer to guard Chennedy Carter. Carter was Chicago’s main offense last season, averaging 17.5 points per contest. The No. 4 pick in the 2020 draft by the Atlanta Dream also averaged 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Carter is set to enter unrestricted free agency Tuesday and can sign a contract with any WNBA team on Feb. 1.
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The Sky desperately need offensive help, and losing Carter might appear on the surface to be a net negative for a team that finished 13-27 in 2024. However, there were reportedly good reasons for Chicago to move on from the 26-year-old former Texas A&M standout.
The Sky had locker room drama with Chennedy Carter
Credit: Getty Images
Per Annie Costabile with the Chicago Sun-Times, the Sky had issues with Carter.
“According to multiple league sources, players were unhappy with the dynamic created in the locker room last year due to Carter’s behavior, which went unchecked by former coach Teresa Weatherspoon,” Costabile wrote. “There was concern within the team regarding how re-signing Carter would impact the Sky’s chances of landing other free agents.”
The Sky praised Carter for her efforts
Credit: Getty Images
Despite the drama, Pagliocca praised Carter for her efforts with the Sky.
“Chennedy had an incredible season for us last year,” Pagliocca said, via the report by the Chicago Sun-Times. “She’s extremely talented and is a player that can impact the game at the highest level in our league. We absolutely appreciate all she did for our team last year.
“However, we’ve made changes to our staff and will make changes to our roster. Those changes impact Chennedy’s fit on the team, so we wanted to give her the best opportunity as a free agent.”
Now the Sky will look to add more scoring help in free agency.
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