Chicago Sky Sign Free Agent, Natasha Cloud

After spending an extended time in free agency seemingly to struggle finding interest from a team, Natasha Cloud has landed in Chicago just days before the regular season.

A New Cloud Lands in the Sky

Recent Seasons in Cloud's Career

Intending to enter her eleventh season in the W, Natasha Cloud became a free agent after the 2025 WNBA season. After playing for the Mystics for eight seasons (2015-2023), Natasha Cloud has found herself on a new team each year since 2023. Making her offensive presence known for the Phoenix Mercury in 2024, Cloud gained value when she headed to the New York Liberty for the 2025 season in a trade that also involved the Connecticut Sun. Cloud flourished in this season for the Liberty, helping lead them to the playoffs alongside New York's star trio, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu, despite falling to her former team (Phoenix Mercury).

The Waiting Game Ends for Natasha Cloud

As the WNBPA sought to make new negotiations with WNBA leadership, one thing was certain: many players would become free agents. For most players, this wasn't a problem as they had minimal issues resigning with their previous team or finding a new home. That wasn't the case for Natasha Cloud as she spent months in free agency searching for a team that desired to sign her. Earlier today (May 4, 2026), the Chicago Sky reported that they had signed Cloud for a one-year $555,000 contract. Although the Sky were at last willing to sign the veteran guard, it did not come without its speculations behind it. Although this was not a particular reason the Liberty did not resign Cloud, many speculated that she was not signed by a new team sooner due to her activism for her personal morals and beliefs regarding racism, gun violence, homophobia, etc. These things alongside her transparency with WNBA leadership regarding the need for a new CBA may have factored into the delay in her signing. Although none of this is clear or confirmed 100% factual, Cloud has been happily welcomed to the Sky with open arms!

What does Cloud Bring to the Sky?

Joining a new team less than a week before the season starts can be tough, but one thing for Natasha Cloud is certain: she will make an instant impact. Cloud is a veteran guard with experience playing with so many different players, coaches, and styles which will play a crucial role in the rebuild that the Chicago Sky are undergoing. A true point guard that can make elite passes and create space for herself to score, Cloud will allow teammates Skylar Diggins, Kamilla Cardoso, Rickea Jackson, etc. to find their own grooves and each flourish in their own ways. Not only is Cloud a reliable scorer and efficient passer, but she is also a team player that goes farther than any stat line. As the regular season begins May 8, 2026, I foresee Cloud showing the league who they missed out on and making her mark in Chicago.

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