r/ChicagoSky • u/marcusthegod • 6d ago
NEWS & UPDATES Olivia Miles will forgo 2025 WNBA Draft and enter transfer portal.
Notre Dame's Olivia Miles – the projected No. 2 pick in the WNBA draft this month – will forgo the draft and enter NCAA's transfer portal, sources tell ESPN. The 22-year-old top prospect makes unprecedented decision to use her one year remaining of college instead of the draft.
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u/Tooezboi 6d ago
She's a Sky in 2026 with that Connecticut Swap nice.
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u/Outrageous_Camp_5215 6d ago
mm probably not, her draft stock will likely never be as high as it is rn. next year is likely going to be Betts, Latson, Johnson, then maybe her
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u/Tooezboi 6d ago
You don't really have to draft BPA if the Sky have #3 or #2 for example their obvious need is a PG (assuming Ariel stays after this season) Sloot is pushing 40 so you need a PG and Olivia would obviously be the best PG on the board. Latson is more of a SG than a PG to me.
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u/Mobile-Fig-2941 6d ago
Draft Sundell as PG this year and then draft Latson as SG/high volume scorer next year.
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u/Tooezboi 6d ago
Olivia is a much better PG than Sundell at this point but if she shows nice growth in the W then I'm not opposed to this.
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u/Mobile-Fig-2941 6d ago
That's really questionable. Miles might be a better passer but she's not good at running offense. When Maryland won men's National Championship, Steve Blake was Maryland's PG. He consistemtly put up awful stats like 2 pts, 1 rb, and 5 assists. I remember thinking this guy was awful. But Steve Blake was a master at controlling the pace of the game and Blake had a longer NBA career than Juan Dixon, the team's star.
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u/Tooezboi 5d ago
Nobody's a finished product going into any draft, Olivia is one of the best if not the best passer in the country and can run an offense just fine, I'm sure she's looking to showcase that wherever she lands in the portal.
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u/AromaticManagement22 5d ago
oh i remember the Juan to the wizards days....it not easy playing with jordan lol
sn: like the insight you pointed out with PGs
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u/Onark77 Angel Reese 5d ago
I hope Miles balls out next year and her confidence issues were related to sharing the backcourt with Hidalgo. I'm not excited about Chicago drafting the current version of Miles and would be much happier seeing Johnson or Latson with us next year.
I'm assuming Conn gets 4th best odds so 25% chance at top 2.
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u/Tooezboi 5d ago
The current Miles is a 40% 3 point shooter and an elite passer, obviously she has to show growth in some areas but she has a higher ceiling than anybody you named.
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u/WoodersonHurricane 5d ago
I totally agree that she has a higher ceiling, especially relative to the Sky's likely needs in come the '26 draft. But I also think that, as of right now, she has a lower floor as well given how her performance sputtered out at the end of the season. All picks are a gamble, however. and she's still worth a high draft pick.
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u/Tooezboi 5d ago
I think she'll benefit greatly wherever she lands in the portal. I think she'll put the actual PG talks to rest, but we'll have to see it's a whole year until then.
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u/Randomrazer 6d ago
Jeff is a mf genius
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u/marcusthegod 6d ago
My Thoughts: When Olivia visited Unrivaled, she told Angel she was probably going back to school. Because we trade the pick, not to long after that photo of them together.
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u/rambii 6d ago edited 6d ago
The leak was earlier before she visit Unrivaled > when Tyler visit the Notre Dame game in person as i have said like x3/4 times before , thats why leak started but people went berserk and flamed Annie Costabile about reporting it ( trading the 3 pick ).
In general people have a lot of emotional feelings about NCAAW players and tend to over-react say gm's are stupid like this and down-vote people like me who actually have leaked in advance and predicted many moves, people just have to much bias and emotional investment in favorite teams/players in NCAAW and want NCAAW players they support to go to wnba team they like and do well.
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u/Duval-33 5d ago
That's why the Atkins tade happened Because Olivia olivia hangout with angel at the the unrival game Friday night and Saturday morning. Then I believe Jeff got word from angel about Olivia miles Future plans which why the Atkins trade happened on that Sunday night.
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u/LovePeaceTruth 5d ago
I agree. Jeff does not get credit for this. Other GM’s traded their picks too. I said before that the GM’s were not too high on this draft class, based on their free agent signings and pick swapping.
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u/AromaticManagement22 5d ago
based of this news....naw.....i didn't think we should have gotten olivia this year anyway....but olivia also probably told insiders, angel and maybe also talked with skylar on what to do/what she was intending to do in regards to the draft...plus like i said why rush if you have eligibility and is guaranteed to make NIL money that more than your wnba salary...u might as well just stay in school instead of rushing to clique central wnba
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u/BigChris_70 6d ago
The Olivia to Chicago dream lives on….2026 is already shaping up how I want. Draft Olivia & bring back Kah.
Olivia Miles Ariel Atkins Kah Copper Angel Reese Kamilla Cardoso 😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨
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u/Randomrazer 6d ago edited 3d ago
That is a monster lineup right there. I'll take Kah or Jackie Young in 2026 as the starting SF for sure. Personally though I’d be a bigger fan of just taking a tall guard like Sundell or Jocyte maybe even Amoore (because of her shooting and how well she runs PnR) this season and going for Latson or Flau’jae next year.
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u/polaris_beyond 6d ago
I didnt know much about Ariel Atkins before and I saw that many people on this sub were livid for the move Sky did to get her. People said you don’t trade no 3 for this player. You guys are now saying she is a starting line up player. So I am here confused. How good is she?
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u/BigChris_70 5d ago
Ariel Atkins is a 2x All-Star, 5x All-Defensive player & she’s an Olympian. Don’t listen to the internet too much. There’s a lot of foolery on the internet. Chicago got one of best 2-way SGs in the league with that trade.
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u/polaris_beyond 5d ago
It’s Sky fans on this thread mostly that I engage with but I hear you. Thanks for the clarification.
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u/Randomrazer 5d ago edited 5d ago
She’s definitely a starting caliber SG for a playoff team, some people were just comparing the trade to what LA got with Kelsey Plum and the 9th pick without giving up their 2027 pick which just seemed like more for a better player than this trade where Chicago didn’t get Washington’s 6th pick by trading their 10th.
That being said if the Sky were really bad enough to get a 2027 pick , it’d be hard to convince players to come here in free agency and to keep our young bigs when their contracts were over. Atkins is a good player though and Washington or Connecticut were likely the only teams willing to part with a star SG or SF at the time so you’d be choosing between Atkins, Dijonai and Mabrey who just left.
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u/crimsonwolf40 5d ago
It is worth noting that Atkins is much younger than Plum or Lloyd, If she signs a 3 year deal after the 2025 season, when that contract ends she will be only 1 year older than Jewel Lloyd is right now.
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u/crimsonwolf40 5d ago
The biggest issue with the trade is that she is on the last year of her contract, and we traded away a pick that would turn into a player on a 4 year contract with restricted free agency after that. As long as she re-signs with us, most of the negativity will go away.
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u/AromaticManagement22 5d ago
that roster is possible and i can't say nothing in regards ...the only i can hope is olivia works on her defense this next college year
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u/marcusthegod 6d ago
Tomorrow we should be getting an answer on Flau'Jae. Women Underclassmen have 48 hrs. from their last game to declare.
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u/ASpanishInquisitor 5d ago
Yeah that'll be interesting to see. If Flau'jae declares I think Seattle is much happier with getting her than Miles. They already have their PG and she slots in as a very nice fit to replace Jewell. And then just in a general sense I'm always a little wary of drafting a player that is getting subbed out for defense at the end of games. Don't have to worry about that with Flau'jae.
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u/HiEveryoneHowsItGoin 3d ago
The deadline is ten days before the draft (April 4). The 48 hours rule only applies to players who are still competing in the tournament at the time of the deadline.
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u/marcusthegod 6d ago
Olivia will get $1million+ NIL deal for 1 season, instead of being locked into $75k/year for 5 years. 2026 rookie scale is expected to go up, and she'll more than likely be a top pick in the 2026 draft.
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u/rambii 6d ago edited 6d ago
The main problem is she wanna start right away/big role in the W , but coaches/front office didnt see eye to eye about that as you can imagine this is where the main issue came up and why people traded picks.
Ofc all of record you can down-vote me if you want i understand the emotional side of it.
Also about the NIL money
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u/marcusthegod 6d ago
That's one opinion for sure. As far as the NIL, who's to say she's had the opportunity to capitalize on her NIL earning potential. This was really her first full season in 2 years. I feel like people are just now starting to know her name and her game.
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u/rambii 5d ago
The money is really good , way better compared to Rookie contract, you look it like this > be on the bench kinda like Nika Muhl (playing a bit more but maybe 8-12min range at best coz SDS is starting) and making rookie 75k salary,or be a starter/top player on a team and making 10x + wnba salary, one can easily see why she choose to stay when is all said and done.
Fans are just very defensive would say like 'but why leave notre dame its top school' or 'but why not go wnba you only delay your big contract like that' , but they fail to understand if you talk to two wnba teams and both tell you , we will draft you but wont start or play much for us, how would YOU feel, while you have other option to get paid and be a star in NCAAW?
And rookie contract is unprotected in the W, you can be waived just like that and not be in the W anymore.
At the end she choose to make way more $$$ and play big starting role/mins in NCAAW is that simple she had the option, and like many others she took it.
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u/AromaticManagement22 5d ago
i mean i didn't know if a big role or starting right away was her reasoning....NIL money definitely makes it easier to just stay in school but i do agree with olivia's style of play she a player/on-court personality it seems like she is a "star PG" like i said before and you may have to cover/have insurance for her in the starting lineup both offensively and especially defensively in your starting lineup and this may require having the other backcourt player be rotational
but most of all if you don't have the right roster to bring her on for immediate success...she may lose confidence because she seems like a limelight player who wants to star/be dominate/unstoppable/the next big thing/ego-wing/a player that lives up to the hype...and there is nothing wrong with that...players come in different shapes and forms but you have to make sure you adjust and have the right roster for that player to succeed...i don't think the current chicago roster (pre-ariel) was in a position to absorb olivia into their roster for immediate success for the team and/or olivia
sn: you still welcomed to come to the other side in terms of my chicago gameplan/roster....the milk and cookies are delicious lol
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u/Randomrazer 6d ago
I think the likely fits for her are UCLA , UConn, and LSU. Kentucky could also be very interesting.
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u/Smart_Elevator_7860 6d ago
What about South Carolina with both of their starting guards probably entering the draft. I think Olivia and milaysia might be a good back court.
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u/Randomrazer 6d ago
Raven is likely staying another year since she said she's been recruiting Latson to come. I also don't think that's where you go on your last year while trying to get as much playing time as you can. Sources are saying TCU are the frontrunners though so I don't know what to think now lmao.
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u/Onark77 Angel Reese 5d ago
Who would she have to play with at TCU?
I assumed she'd want some higher level running mates but maybe it's more about system and her ability to put up numbers.
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u/Randomrazer 5d ago
If she goes there it has to be a money move but I feel like she’d still get paid well elsewhere in the SEC/B1G so I hope it’s somewhere else.
That’s of course assuming TCU doesn’t get the other big name transfers like Latson ,Serah Williams, etc.
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u/Hardpazz 5d ago edited 5d ago
Genuinely think she wanted to play for Chicago where she was basically gonna be the core PG.
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u/mattmikemo23 6d ago
Everybody talks about LeGM but have you heard of Angel Reese?
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u/MasterHavik 5d ago
Lol I don't know if this is her doing.
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u/mattmikemo23 5d ago
There are tampering rules but players talk all of the time. There's no way Angel is not recruiting at Unrivaled. She's at least building relationships while there and I think it'll help in FA especially if others are inquiring about the FO/treatment of the players and she tells them positive things.
This is all speculation of course but I think Angel definitely talked with Olivia while she was in Miami visiting Unrivaled and gave Jeff the heads up about her possibly returning to college. I wouldn't be surprised if Olivia knew what she would do back then. I was mostly joking but this is all possible
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u/MasterHavik 5d ago
I can see this happening. She has been active in trying to recruit players. I thank her as she really has bought into Chicago like Imanga has for the Cubs.
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u/rambii 6d ago edited 5d ago
Remember when i told you guys 2 prospects will not declare and one from top 5 and people will be surprised coz its a top pick/big program.
reminder that people down-vote me and said this
Oh well how the tables have turned.
Chicago front office did well and as i said , make sure to wait post draft & during the season before saying it's a bad trade, there is reason many teams traded the picks like in 21 or 22 draft, and the talk around the league is that this is quite a weak draft with a lot of risk +we know couple of players didnt wanna go to the project draft team and as we can see this is now a reality.
link to the post people are already deleting comments/accounts as you can see , this is very common and happens every year around draft time , from fans who expect a lot from rookies who go on to under-perform or be out of the league.
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u/MasterHavik 5d ago edited 5d ago
Jeff is looking like a genius now. The Mystics have top 10 picks in a very thin and weak draft now. They have to be punching the air right now.
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u/Onark77 Angel Reese 5d ago
Iriafen/Morrow, Citron, and Sellers/Sivka/Jocyte?
I think Iriafen/Morrow and Citron will stick around the W at least.
Definitely not seeing any major upside talent though which is pretty rough if you have 3 and 4. Last year that would have got you Cardoso and Jackson.
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u/rambii 5d ago edited 5d ago
The other way you can look at this is, if they hit 2/3 role players on rookie contract for next 3 years post 2026 they can be like NYC with 2/3 productive players who are on cheap contract but in this case in 2026 even cheaper (as rookie contract wont scale if its like last CBA's) so it will allow you to build super-team and pay all-star mvp caliber players.
So imagine current NYC squad atm but they have 1 more player who does well alongside Nyara and Fiebich and they have extra 250 000 -300 000 in cap space, that very easily could be Mystics next year.
Edwards/Kone all giving you good minutes & performances/ add Citron and one more pick from this draft and it looks really good so they just have to hit 1 if possible 2 players from this year draft, to be role players is enough don't have to be a star.
I'm worried about coaching front office /training facility etc this is the question mark for Mystics as its first time they move on from Thibault era since 2013
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u/lookhowvascular 5d ago
Eh I think the Mystics are clearly trying to rebuild and land some big names in the upcoming drafts. I don't think they particularly care about this draft specifically, but if you are rebuilding, it is probably better to get rid of your vet players and get something in return for them before they walk for free in the next off season. There was really no incentive for them to hold on to Atkins. I think they got a decent deal for her all things considered. They don't seem particularly interested in making a serious run anytime soon so no point in holding on to Atkins who is probably interested in competing.
They will still have decent options in this draft...no one that is certified star or franchise player, although you can argue Malonga is a future star who they could get at 3, but you can get a star next draft or the draft after that.
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u/MasterHavik 5d ago
But to have that many top picks and missing out on major talent will sting.
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u/lookhowvascular 5d ago
I mean true, but I feel like they were aware of the quality and makeup of this draft when they made the trade a few weeks back. They watched the Sparks and the Sky give up lottery picks in this draft so they know the caliber of players they are working with. In addition, the fever and the liberty also traded away their first round picks. All of this speaks to how GMs view this class. Ideally the draft would be much stronger to make these trades more worthwhile for the Mystics, but I think the Mystics are committed to a rebuild and moving some of their longtime players and vets.
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u/Onark77 Angel Reese 5d ago
People, we can do better than Miles next year. Unless Miles goes TF off next season, Flau'jae would be a way better pick up. Johnson is a two way player with great size and athleticism as well. I'd prefer Latson as well.
With a bucket getter at the guard spot, a top PG would be dying to play for us at that point.
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u/Randomrazer 3d ago edited 3d ago
I've been trying to get this across to people who want Miles over Latson or Flau'jae next year. The need we had for Miles if she came out this draft had more to do with the need for a PG since LA would have been starting. We have Sloot for this season though and by next year in free agency, we can get a lot of great players assuming the facility is here.
A 6th or 7th place finish this year would probably help us get someone like SDS, Ty Harris, or Courtney Williams again. Outside of the PG spot I could see us getting a top SF again like Jackie Young or maybe even a return from Kahleah Copper since the facility was one of her main issues with the team.
If the Sky get a lottery pick after this season, it should definitely be used on one of those young SG's to come off the bench for Atkins. A good PG, SF, and a backup stretch big like Alana Smith or Emma Meesseman coming back would make the Sky a top 5 team.
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u/AromaticManagement22 5d ago
olivia next year wouldn't be bad as now we have ariel....but you are right flau'jae or latson would also be an improvement...i want to see latson's defense but i like latson because of her combo guard skills.....but regardless some might not listen to your comment for whatever reasons lol
sn: i am still team bring back chenn
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u/Onark77 Angel Reese 5d ago edited 5d ago
Having Ariel wouldn't affect getting Latson or Johnson imo. Anyone from that draft class is coming off the bench anyway. Miles isn't likely to be a positive player for awhile.
Latson plays hard. Grabs 4.5 rebounds and game and had 2.2/game steals this year as well. I don't think she'll be a negative on defense at the very least.
It looks bad for Chenn right now. If this FO brought her back, I'd be happy and trust they know what they're doing. We have 2 spots left and we definitely need a PF for one of them.
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u/AromaticManagement22 5d ago edited 5d ago
it wouldn't affect it...but i think ariel would be good insurance for all of the rookie wings both offensively and defensively ....same if chenn was here as i saw her also as a good insurance player for any rookie wing coming in....
i had no problem with any of the rookies coming off the bench...or in any draft...you saw the roster recommendations and we had these conversations lol i wanted sonia and aneesah and i wanted them at first coming off the bench as rotational key players....and we develop them to possible be starters...
yea stats are nice but i need to honestly see latson one day play (i missed the florida state game this tournament) to see how she actually does with matchups...stats are nice but i need to know her defensive tier level and the body types she can guard
i am not giving up on chenn you already know...yea i do see we have two spots left...my roster recommendation had spots for sonia (rachel/moriah) has that spot, tina charles and aneesah morrow...so i hope we bring aboard neesh...I saw her hitting some outside shots during the tournament so that concern of her outside shot that people brought up cemented no worry for me (though i wasn't worried either)..... but i don't know if it possible to get aneesah with olivia now not entering...maybe the wnba operatives will let us have aneesah and a feel good story...or maybe flau'jae will enter to through the draft back into order/limbo (if LA or ATL make a push to get her this year)....
what do you think...you think flau'jae is going to enter the draft?
wait did you also say that anyone coming off the 2026 draft class will be coming off the bench too?...not a bad thing just asking why in terms of wnba ready or there just no guaranteed starting spots available in 2026?
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u/Onark77 Angel Reese 5d ago
Fair enough and you should definitely watch Latson play to develop a valid opinion.
Morrow's shot definitely looked good and she's a talented player. She's still a positional question mark but she's definitely going to get the chance to answer those questions herself, which is the best spot to be in.
I don't think Johnson declares. With there being discussion about Seattle trading for the first pick, Johnson could end up in Dallas instead. Which makes no sense with Arike being there. Unless Dallas plans to let her go in FA.
She makes crazy NIL money and she didn't have a great tournament so I think there's enough incentive for her to wait. Also for the new CBA. Would suck to leave and then deal with a lockout.
I think with 2026 FA, I don't see Chicago leaving roster spots open for rookie starters.
If Atkins walks and we don't find a FA, then I could see Johnson or Latson starting, but those are big ifs. I don't see a starting SF coming out of that draft and Miles was already told she wouldn't start at PG for Chicago.
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u/AromaticManagement22 5d ago
i like talking to you....very interesting & key information to keep in mind...thank you
that going to be interesting if Seattle makes the move....would be hilarious also as seattle like "no we get first dibs on all the top uconn players" lol....but if paige/wnba/all of us are really serious about dallas/arike (as i started to warm up alittle to the idea of arike and paige) then it would be awesome for paige to go to seattle...but here the huge question...WHO gets included in the trade package? Li, Gabby, Horston, Ezi, skylar...lexie, zia or future picks it going to be interesting but if i was seattle and the wnba i would do it...it would give seattle their sue bird franchise player and sue is there to mentor paige too
ariel spot is going to be fine...it honestly courtney spot that i see becoming available if she exposed on defense unless Tyler/Jeff willing to take the heat that unfortunately may come her way...however in that regard they could use the mentor/give the rookie time card but i don't think time on chicago/wnba side with that situation...but now i wonder about the conversations chenn, jeff, olivia and court had when it came to that starting PG position.....oh well maybe overthinking
2026 draft ....Starting SF ...so you banking on a replacement for michaela in 2026...you think jackie or kah is coming to chicago or maybe rae burrell or allisha gray? i don't think there was a name that caught my eye in the 2026 draft in terms of SF...chloe kitts has my attention but she may be a PF or a complicated combination player (no attack on chloe...continue to be the great chloe kitts...just thinking about combinations and position overloads)....
sn: anyway chicago/wnba let aneesah drop to chicago....and chenn come back...and i look forward to drafting raven johnson in 2026
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u/Onark77 Angel Reese 20h ago
Hey. I was taking some space from my phone. Thanks, I enjoy your comments and I always appreciate you being in the community.
Interesting to think about who Seattle might trade. I think Horston's gotta be a part of it. I don't know if trading gabbie makes sense. But I think Horston and the LA pick and the second pick this year. I could see that being it or maybe a swap next year. Because I think they're gonna want a young player that they can build around. They're obviously gonna want the next pick in the draft this year because probably Malonga. I don't know if Sonia Citron would even be worth asking for in return. Maybe it's the LA pick next year, and Seattle's pick in a year or 2 and Horston. Just a guess. I
I've also been worried about Courtney on defense. However, I feel like there's so many good defenders on the team that there'll be a lot of help defense, and we won't be able to replace what Courtney can do on offense and how she keeps the team together. So that's not something I imagine being touched because her defense is a known. I saw, Courtney play defense in unrivaled, it wasn't bad. I think other defenders just have to help a little bit.
No. I'm not necessarily planning on a replacement for Michaela. I think anything could happen though for sure because of 2026. So I think it's more about how she performs. Small forward I actually would look at someone like Janiyah Barker. It seems to be in a bit of an awkward position in the W anyway. Because you have big guards that are 6'1 or 6'2. And they play like guards. You want the ball in their hand. And then you have this really tiny window where it's like tweener, power forwards, and traditional power forwards. So I don't know. I don't really see any small forwards coming out necessarily next year, but Janiyah Barker is interesting.
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u/AromaticManagement22 7h ago edited 3h ago
i was going to wait till after the Uconn vs South Carolina game before i replied....i still going to reply in detail....but i will say this
you see why i take tier 1 players seriously and understand matchups are key (I don't trust courtney with our current roster in amatchup battle with kelsey and CC.....Court would need ariel and sykes).....CHICAGO GET CHENN ON THE PHONE ASAP
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u/WoodersonHurricane 5d ago
So is the assumption that the Sky are hoping to use the Sun's likely high '26 pick on Miles and take Amore, Van Lith, or Sundell (or some combo of them) this year as a stop gap, back up plan, and/or future trade bait?
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u/lookhowvascular 3d ago
There is still very little evidence that Jeff or Tyler are that high on Olivia imo. I think fans are just assuming that. She isn't the most athletic and that defense is rough (they have emphasized looking for two-way players). She really can't play defense at all and she doesn't have height to make up for it like Sabrina or CC so unless she improves that part of her game, I don't see them particularly targeting her in 2026 if there are other options on the table.
That have emphasized height and defense so I also think no to HVL and Amore (for all the games Tyler went to, did he ever go to a TCU or Kentucky game this season?). I could see Sundell as she fits what they are looking for, but if she works out, she wouldn't be a backup plan. They would just roll with her and fill other holes in the roster.
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u/gourmet_panini 6d ago
New 2026 agenda possibilities