Aari McDonald recently finished a short stint with the Indiana Fever, filling in amid injuries to their backcourt players, before becoming available to other WNBA teams. The Chicago Sky, led by Angel Reese and currently enduring a tough start to their season, could benefit significantly from signing McDonald to bolster their roster.
The addition of McDonald could be a key move for the Sky as they work to improve on their 2-7 record and climb the standings. Here are three important factors that highlight why McDonald’s signing would make sense for Chicago.
How Aari McDonald Can Boost Chicago’s Scoring Punch
During her brief time with the Indiana Fever, McDonald averaged 11.0 points while playing about 25 minutes per game across three contests. That scoring average would rank her second highest on the Sky’s current team, reflecting their ongoing offense struggles. With shooting splits of 42.9 percent from the field and 37.5 percent beyond the arc, McDonald offers a reliable scoring threat the Sky have lacked so far.
Standing at 5-foot-6, McDonald would complement the Sky’s existing backcourt options, Ariel Atkins and Courtney Vandersloot, both of whom have had difficulty maintaining consistent offensive output this season. Adding McDonald’s scoring ability could provide the Sky with much-needed firepower as they seek to turn their offense around.
McDonald’s Ability to Increase Pace and Offensive Pressure
The Chicago Sky rank fifth in the WNBA in playing pace, averaging nearly 97 possessions per game, but they trail behind in fastbreak points, sitting 11th with just 9.6 points per game in transition. Known for her fast-paced style, McDonald has the tools to help the Sky accelerate their offense, creating more scoring opportunities in open court.
Given the Sky’s ongoing difficulties scoring in half-court situations, McDonald’s speed and pushing-the-tempo capabilities would be a valuable asset throughout the remainder of the season as they aim to maximize their offensive efficiency.
Defensive Contributions and Intangibles McDonald Brings to Chicago
A key part of McDonald’s game is her defense, where she has demonstrated an ability to disrupt opponents. With an average of 2.0 steals per game during her short stretch with the Fever, McDonald has shown strong defensive instincts and tenacity.
The Sky currently rank near the bottom of the league in defensive rating at 111.2, so adding a guard who excels on both ends of the floor could help address this critical weakness. McDonald’s hustle and energy would provide much-needed effort plays and intangible qualities that could inspire the team in its ongoing pursuit of a playoff spot.
As the WNBA season intensifies, bringing Aari McDonald onboard could be a pivotal step for Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky to revitalize their performances and strengthen their push toward postseason contention.