EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Chicago Sky have signed guard Natasha Cloud, one of the highest-profile free agents who was still on the market, with sources telling ESPN the deal is for one year at $555,000.Cloud, a 10-year veteran, averaged 10.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 41 game for the New York Liberty last season."Natasha is one of the best passers and defenders in our league," Chicago general manager Jeff Pagliocca said Monday in a statement. "She fits in with the other proven winners on our roster."In a separate move, Chicago waived Hailey Van Lith, with sources telling ESPN that the decision was based on the coaching staff's "style-of-play preference."Van Lith was selected by the Sky with the 11th pick in the 2025 draft and averaged 3.5 points per game in 12.4 minutes during her rookie campaign. The 5-foot-9 guard was limited to 29 games last season as she dealt with an ankle injury throughout the year, but she is healthy after spending the summer rehabbing, per sources.There is a lot of interest in the former college standout, and active conversations are being held with a number of teams throughout the league, sources told ESPN.In the 5-10 Cloud, Chicago gets a player in a more traditional point guard role, impacting the game most when she is running the offense. She's also considered one of peskiest defensive guards in the league. Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb told reporters that New York did not bring her back because of how it needed to construct the backcourt around Sabrina Ionescu, who has played better when she is on the ball and surrounded by length.Before joining the Liberty, Cloud played one season for the Phoenix Mercury in 2024. She spent the first eight years of her career as a member of the Washington Mystics.In waiving Van Lith, the Sky are without both of their first-round draft picks from the past two seasons, as they traded away Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream on April 6, kicking off what sources described to ESPN as a roster overhaul. Chicago finished last season tied for the league's worst record at 10-34.Van Lith scored 20 points in her first preseason game against the Phoenix Mercury on 8-for-8 shooting from the field April 25, then finished with five points against the Dream on April 29.The Sky now have 14 players on their roster, as the team had also waived Latasha Lattimore and Tonie Morgan. Chicago has two development spots available, one of which could go to Van Lith. But first, she would have to clear waivers, meaning no other team claims her contract over the next 48 hours.Final WNBA rosters are due Thursday.
