A little more than a year removed from winning their first WNBA title, the Sky lost the player most responsible for it.
Candace Parker, whose arrival as a free agent in 2021 represented a rebirth for the franchise, announced on social media that she’s leaving her hometown team for the defending champion Las Vegas Aces. The deal isn’t completed, but it will be for one year.
“After evaluating the landscape together with my family, we’ve decided the Las Vegas Aces are the right organization for us at this point,” said Parker, who met with the Los Angeles Sparks, Sky and Aces.
Her signing with the Sky in 2021 marked a rebirth for a franchise that, since its establishment in 2005, had failed to reach prominence. Franchise players forced trades, and other than a Finals appearance in 2014 in which they were swept, the Sky were average year after year.
Parker, who starred in high school at Naperville Central, also brought an incalculable value to the Sky, giving them a place on the Chicago sports scene they never had. After her arrival and the title that followed gave them unprecedented attention, the question will be whether they can maintain that with her departure.
The Aces offer Parker a chance at another ring and the luxuries of playing for an owner in Mark Davis who’s willing to invest. She also reunites with point guard Chelsea Gray, with whom Parker won a title in 2016 with the Sparks. Parker also will be closer to Los Angeles, which became her home after the Sparks drafted her first overall in 2008. Her family was an important factor in her signing.
“Throughout her 13 years, [daughter] Lailaa has always sacrificed for me,” Parker said. “Lailaa starts high school in August, and I need to be there for her, just as she’s been there for me.”
Parker’s homecoming was short-lived but fruitful, paying dividends with a title in her first season and two more All-Star nods. In two seasons with the Sky, Parker averaged 13.2 points, 4.3 assists and 8.5 rebounds. At 36, she still is playing some of her best basketball, as evidenced by her performance in the playoffs last year.
She averaged a double-double in the Sky’s eight playoff games with 14.8 points and 10.8 rebounds. It was the first time in her career she averaged a postseason double-double in more than six playoff games.
“I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to win a championship in my hometown and parade down the same streets I watched the Bulls parade down as a young girl,” Parker said.
Parker had said there were only two franchises she would consider playing for, the Sparks and Sky. After winning a championship with each, her stance changed in an effort to go for a third title. The Aces are the early favorites to win the title in 2023. No team has won back-to-back titles since the 2002-03 Sparks. Parker will be looking to become the first WNBA player to win three titles with three franchises.
Parker hinted after the Sky’s Game 5 loss to the Connecticut Sun in the semifinals that she might retire. Her decision to return for a 16th season reflects her confidence in her ability to continue playing at a high level.
It also could signal an unraveling within the Sky. Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley, Emma Meesseman and Azura Stevens are all unrestricted free agents. Kahleah Copper is the only member of Sky coach/general manager James Wade’s starting five who’s under contract for 2023.
The Sky went from a championship-contending team less than six months ago to a franchise without a clear direction. That’s the difference a player like Parker makes.
