Sky make trades to protect players from expansion draft

Field Level Media|published: Thu 2nd April, 12:23 2026

Sep 11, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky forward Maddy Westbeld (21) drives to the basket against New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) during the second half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Chicago Sky, looking to protect their roster from the upcoming expansion draft, made a pair of moves to guarantee that none of their players will be selected.

The team announced Wednesday night that it agreed to send the No. 17 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft to the Portland Fire and the No. 26 pick to the Toronto Tempo. In exchange, the Fire and Tempo agreed not to take a player from the Sky.

The Sky also will receive the No. 21 pick from the Fire.

TRADE ALERT ??

The Sky have reached agreements with the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo ahead of the Expansion Draft. As a result, neither team will select a player from Chicago's Unprotected List in the Expansion Draft.

Our 2026 WNBA Draft picks remain:

?? No. 5 overall... pic.twitter.com/SJAWG09T4q
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) April 1, 2026

Such trades are allowable under WNBA rules.

The Sky still hold the No. 5 and No. 32 overall picks, in addition to the No. 21 selection from Portland, in the draft, which is scheduled for April 13.

The free-agent signing period will begin after the draft on a date yet to be announced.

The Sky finished the 2025 season at 10-34, tied with the Dallas Wings for the worst record in the WNBA.

--Field Level Media

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