The Chicago Sky's recent decision to sign Natasha Cloud for $550,000 has stirred strong emotions among fans, especially following the waiving of Hailey Van Lith. This move has intensified discussions around the team's roster changes just before the 2026 WNBA season begins.
Via Imagn ©Via Imagn
If the goal was stability, this move didn’t exactly bring calm with it. Just days before the 2026 WNBA regular-season tips off, the Chicago Sky has made a decision that flipped their roster conversation overnight. Natasha Cloud’s situation had already been one of the more talked-about storylines this offseason, and Chicago’s sudden involvement only added fuel to it. Because what unfolded wasn’t just about one move, it quickly turned into a chain reaction.
It started with the Sky waiving Hailey Van Lith, the No. 11 pick from the 2025 WNBA Draft. This decision immediately drew backlash from fans, especially considering this team followed in its troubling pattern after trading Angel Reese. And just when that frustration was peaking, Chicago flipped the emotions by bringing in Cloud on a one-year deal worth around $550,000.
That contrast is exactly why this decision has sparked such a wide range of reactions from the fans.
Natasha Cloud is one of the league’s most reliable floor generals. In the 2025 season, she averaged 10.1 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.7 rebounds across 41 games with the New York Liberty. She’s also:
So the Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca didn’t hesitate to underline that value, calling her “one of the best passers and defenders in our league” while emphasizing her fit alongside “proven winners” on the roster.
The Chicago Sky waived Hailey Van Lith, the No. 11 pick from the 2025 WNBA Draft, which drew significant backlash from fans.
Natasha Cloud's one-year contract worth $550,000 has sparked a wide range of reactions, contrasting with the recent decision to waive Van Lith.
Fans have expressed frustration and backlash over the Sky's roster changes, particularly the waiving of Van Lith and the signing of Cloud.
This decision has intensified discussions about the team's direction and stability just days before the 2026 WNBA regular season begins.
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With Courtney Vandersloot still working her way back from an ACL injury and Skylar Diggins expected to carry a major load, Cloud gives Chicago a starting-caliber guard who can control tempo, defend at a high level, and keep the offense organized.
But the timing and the cost of this move are where the conversation shifts.
Waiving Van Lith isn’t just about cutting a young player. It’s about the investment tied to her. Chicago traded assets to move up and draft her in 2025, then gave up additional picks to protect their roster during the expansion draft. These aren’t exactly the types of moves that a franchise makes if they are planning to let go of the player.
Yes, early-career waivers aren’t uncommon as a 12-player limit has to be adhered to but this one stands out because of the resources involved and the reasoning behind it. Many pointed to a “style-of-play preference” by the team as the deciding factor. However, that only raises more questions about how that fit wasn’t identified earlier, especially with the same coaching staff in place. But fans couldn’t be happier with this decision.
As the news of her joining the Sky went viral, fans took to social media to share their thoughts.
And one of the first notable names to react to this news was the Chicago Sky co-owner Dwyane Wade, who wrote, “🔥🔥🔥.” Even her new teammate, Rickea Jackson, couldn’t hold her excitement and wrote, “🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🩵🩵🩵🩵.”
While her addition to the team gives the Sky a much-needed depth, the Sky now suddenly has multiple proven ball handlers. With Diggins on the roster and the Sky re-signing both Rachel Banham and Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago got a puzzle in its hands.
Cloud has been a full-time starter for years, starting every game she’s played over the last six seasons. That alone makes it hard to view her as anything but a primary option at point guard. But Diggins brings a similar profile.
May 29, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud (9) drives to the basket while being defended by Golden State Valkyries forward Monique Billings (25) during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
That raises the obvious question: will Cloud step in as the starting point guard, or will Chicago lean into a shared backcourt dynamic?
The answer may not be straightforward. While Cloud brings elite defense and playmaking, her perimeter shooting remains a variable. She shot 33.8% from three on 3.8 attempts per game last season with the Liberty. That could influence spacing decisions, especially in lineups built around multiple guards.
But this hasn’t slowed down the reactions from the fans one bit.
One fan added, “This Liberty fan is so happy for @t__cloud9 and jealous of Chicago for getting such a great player and source of positive energy and joy ❤️.” While another wrote, “They couldn’t hold my dawg down for long!! 🤞🏾👑🩵🔥.”
For three weeks, Natasha Cloud wasn’t signed by any team in the league despite being one of the most-talked-about players in free agency.
Even the Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb stepped in publicly to back her, stating, “She belongs in the WNBA,” while also pushing back against narratives surrounding her locker room presence and activism.
There were rumors of her being blackballed for being vocal about issues such as racism , homophobia , gun violence as well as the CBA. However, reports now suggest that many teams were interested in her, and she was in talks with three teams before signing with the Sky.
So, one fan summed up the mood perfectly and wrote, “This last month has been an absolute emotional rollercoaster for Sky fans lol.”
With the Sky’s first regular-season game set to take place on May 9th against the Portland Fire, one thing is clear – Chicago made a bold call.
Though Natasha Cloud brings exactly what this team needs, the real test lies in how it all comes together on the court. So make sure to tune in for their first game.
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