Why trading for Marina Mabrey was a ‘no-brainer’ for Chicago Sky: ‘That’s the risk that we’re willing to take’

The moment free agency began to veer off course for the Chicago Sky, James Wade knew his first priority — get Marina Mabrey on his roster.

In the wake of losing four key free agents, Wade didn’t want to settle for a rebuilding year. So the coach/GM immediately started to pursue Mabrey, a fifth-year guard whose stock rose over her last three seasons with the Dallas Wings.

By the time he arrived in Minnesota to coach Mabrey with the U.S. national team, Wade knew he had won over his future guard.

“Ever since I’ve been a head coach, she’s always caused us problems,” Wade said. “When we studied the tape, we saw that she could fit in our system, especially the way our spacing and our timing and our plays complement her playing style. I just feel confident that she could be a lead guard in this league.”

When news of the four-team trade first broke, however, the biggest news wasn’t what the Sky gained — it was what they gave up.

The upside of the trade was obvious: The Sky locked in a three-year deal with an experienced combination guard whose abilities as a facilitator and pacesetter will help anchor the backcourt. But in return, the Sky traded away four future draft picks — including two of their three picks in 2024.

On paper, the price seemed steep. But when it came down to the decision, Wade called it a “no-brainer” to prioritize Mabrey over draft stock. Even with the potential of future rookies, Wade felt sticking with a known quantity was the best bet.

“The draft didn’t mean as much to us this year,” Wade said. “Even though we feel like it’s going to have some great players, none of them compared to Marina.”

Wade targeted 2024 draft picks as trade assets on purpose. The Sky’s picks then will be hampered by their 26-10 record in 2022, the best regular season in franchise history. The WNBA draft order is cumulative over a two-year period, which means teams with the worst composite record the prior two seasons pick first.

With their success in 2022, the Sky would have to bomb drastically in 2023 to land at the top of the draft order next season. And they would have to win only three games this season to qualify for a top-two pick in 2024.

That’s not in the game plan for the Sky this season — or, as Wade put it: “I’m not (bleeping) planning on losing.”

Mabrey had been on Wade’s radar for years as she grew as a player both domestically in the WNBA and internationally in the Latvian, Australian and Italian leagues. Wade’s experience in Europe was a draw for Mabrey, who valued her time there as an important foundation for her success in Dallas.

Although the Wings were interested in retaining Mabrey, she felt she needed to leave to grow on a more competitive roster. In the Sky, she found a match for her own pace of play — a team set up to rely on speed and scrappiness to outlast opponents.

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“The way they play, the energy that they bring is really exciting to play with,” Mabrey said. “I think I fit right in with that. We have a lot of people that know how to win and want to win and we do a lot of dirty work.”

Wade envisions Mabrey playing in tandem with third-year guard Dana Evans, rotating both players on and off the ball to create versatility. This will be a key to the Sky offense, which has always thrived when built around multiple guards who can slash to the rim and facilitate around the perimeter. Mabrey’s most important partnership will be with the Sky’s cornerstone, Kahleah Copper.

Wade got a glimpse at the future of this matchup during the February camp with the U.S. national team, which offered a first chance for the two guards to play together. Mabrey felt they shared a natural fit of speed and intensity, especially in the open court.

“I loved playing with her,” Mabrey said of Copper. “She gets up and down the floor, she’s easy to find in transition and she’s great at finishing. As a point guard and as a guard that likes to get people involved and pass, I’m excited just because she’s an easy target.”

Even with his confidence in Mabrey, Wade is aware of the gamble that comes with investing this heavily in the short term. But he also sees the current roster as an investment in both player development and the Sky’s future.

After fielding a starting lineup with an average age of 32 last season, this year’s Sky roster is composed of players between 25 and 30. Players such as Mabrey are in a sweet spot for Wade — young enough to be just tapping into their prime years but veteran enough to understand what it takes to win.

Wade’s hope is a younger group will be able to deliver immediate results while still building to a larger potential through future seasons.

“Everything’s a risk,” Wade said. “That’s part of the job, it’s a risk. So that’s the risk that we’re willing to take to get a great ballhandler and someone who we think can complement the way we want to play.”