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The Chicago Sky have officially added veteran point guard Natasha Cloud to their roster, announcing the signing on Monday, just days before the start of the 2026 WNBA season. Cloud agreed to a one-year deal reportedly worth $555,000, according to The Athletic, bringing an end to a prolonged free agency period that had sparked widespread speculation.
Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca praised the veteran guard in a statement, highlighting her impact on both ends of the court. He described Cloud as one of the league’s top passers and defenders and said she aligns well with the experienced winners already on the roster.
Cloud, 34, has had a busy offseason marked by multiple moves. She was first traded to the Connecticut Sun in the deal involving Alyssa Thomas before being sent to the New York Liberty in exchange for two first-round draft picks. During the 2025 season with the Liberty, she started 41 games and posted averages of 10.1 points, 5.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Despite solid production, New York ultimately decided she was not the ideal backcourt fit alongside Sabrina Ionescu.
As training camps opened across the league, Cloud remained unsigned, which led to online speculation that she was being unfairly sidelined due to her activism and outspoken advocacy. However, there was no evidence supporting those claims. Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb previously praised Cloud’s leadership and off-court work, emphasizing that her voice and values were respected within the organization.
Several factors likely contributed to her extended free agency, including a recent change in representation, the compressed offseason schedule, and contract expectations tied to her role and playing time.
Cloud now joins a Sky team undergoing a significant rebuild after a difficult 2025 season. The franchise missed the playoffs and has since reshaped its roster, moving on from players such as Angel Reese and Ariel Atkins, while bringing in a wave of new talent including Skylar Diggins, Azurá Stevens, DiJonai Carrington, Rickea Jackson, Jacy Sheldon, and Gabriela Jaquez.
With Cloud’s arrival, Chicago gains a proven defender and experienced playmaker, but questions remain about lineup combinations. One key decision will be whether she starts alongside Diggins or comes off the bench. While the pairing could strengthen the team defensively, spacing in the backcourt may be a concern.
Her addition also raises uncertainty about Sheldon’s role after the Sky invested a future first-round pick to acquire her. As the season approaches, Chicago’s revamped roster now carries more talent, but also several unresolved rotation questions.
Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca praised the veteran guard in a statement, highlighting her impact on both ends of the court. He described Cloud as one of the league’s top passers and defenders and said she aligns well with the experienced winners already on the roster.
Cloud, 34, has had a busy offseason marked by multiple moves. She was first traded to the Connecticut Sun in the deal involving Alyssa Thomas before being sent to the New York Liberty in exchange for two first-round draft picks. During the 2025 season with the Liberty, she started 41 games and posted averages of 10.1 points, 5.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Despite solid production, New York ultimately decided she was not the ideal backcourt fit alongside Sabrina Ionescu.
As training camps opened across the league, Cloud remained unsigned, which led to online speculation that she was being unfairly sidelined due to her activism and outspoken advocacy. However, there was no evidence supporting those claims. Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb previously praised Cloud’s leadership and off-court work, emphasizing that her voice and values were respected within the organization.
Several factors likely contributed to her extended free agency, including a recent change in representation, the compressed offseason schedule, and contract expectations tied to her role and playing time.
Cloud now joins a Sky team undergoing a significant rebuild after a difficult 2025 season. The franchise missed the playoffs and has since reshaped its roster, moving on from players such as Angel Reese and Ariel Atkins, while bringing in a wave of new talent including Skylar Diggins, Azurá Stevens, DiJonai Carrington, Rickea Jackson, Jacy Sheldon, and Gabriela Jaquez.
With Cloud’s arrival, Chicago gains a proven defender and experienced playmaker, but questions remain about lineup combinations. One key decision will be whether she starts alongside Diggins or comes off the bench. While the pairing could strengthen the team defensively, spacing in the backcourt may be a concern.
Her addition also raises uncertainty about Sheldon’s role after the Sky invested a future first-round pick to acquire her. As the season approaches, Chicago’s revamped roster now carries more talent, but also several unresolved rotation questions.
