Latest Angel Reese Tirade Proves MN Lynx Cheryl Reeve Right

The Minnesota Lynx had Angel Reese right in front of them. They owned the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. That wasn’t going to land them Caitlin Clark, but Reese — arguably the most headline-worthy name in women’s basketball outside of the Fever phenom — was in play.

Instead of choosing to stick and pick, Lynx president of basketball operations Cheryl Reeve completed a trade with the Chicago Sky that moved Minnesota back a single spot. The Sky selected Reese at No. 7, before the Lynx drafted Alissa Pili at No. 8.

In the time since, Minnesota has moved on from Pili, due to a lack of production and effectiveness. In hindsight, they essentially got nothing out of that draft pick. Meanwhile, Reese has led the league in rebounds each of the past two seasons. And yet, it appears Reeve was still right to avoid the controversial star out of LSU.

Angel Reese continues to be problem Cheryl Reeve expected

There have certainly been times where Cheryl Reeve’s pettiness seems misguided. Virtually any chance she has to ignore Caitlin Clark, she will. There have been other times where she is absolutely right. And as it turns out, Angel is proving to be a nightmare in Chicago.

Last week, Reese was suspended by the Chicago Sky for comments she made publicly to the Chicago Tribune.

I’m not settling for the same s−−− we did this year. We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me. I’m willing and wanting to play with the best. And however I can help to get the best here, that’s what I’m going to do this offseason. So it’s going to be very, very important this offseason to make sure we attract the best of the best because we can’t settle for what we have this year.

Angel Reese – Chicago Tribune

She went on to name teammates by name, trash Sky practice facilities and point fingers at different members of the front office/coaching staff. Then, when her suspension ended, Reese refused to take the court, sitting out the final three games of the season.

Chicago Sky planning to keep Reese around?

Despite the sideshow, general manager Jeff Pagliocca told reporters Friday that “until I hear differently, that’s the direction we’re going to move, is that she’s on the roster.”

Angel is an ascending young talent in this league who’s had two very, very good seasons here in Chicago. Obviously we went through what we did. I feel like we closed the chapter on it. She spoke to her teammates, she spoke publicly. We moved on as a team. She’s a special player. And I have good conversations with Angel daily, with her team daily. They’re constant, and they’re productive.

Jeff Pagliocca – ESPN

Related: MN Lynx Star Joins Rarefied Air With Latest Ranking

Despite Reese’s presence on the team, Chicago was again not good this season. Tyler Marsh’s team finished 10-34, tied for the worst record in the league. Reese was named an All-Star and played in 30 games.

She averaged 14.7 points and 12.6 rebounds per game. Her 45.8% from the field was a significant step up, but she turned the ball over 3.9 times per game.

When, after just two seasons, your general manager needs to make public comments surrounding whether or not you’ll remain on the team, that’s problematic. It also reveals why Cheryl Reeve wanted nothing to do with Angel Reese two years ago.

Angel Reese Fit with MN Lynx never made

It’s not as though Minnesota Lynx head coach is averse to talent. Of course she would have preferred to have a player like Reese as opposed to Pili in a vacuum. The problem is that Reese brings all of the other antics with her.

The Lynx were a direct opposite reflection of Chicago this year. They finished with a 34-10 record to lead the WNBA. Superstar Napheesa Collier should be in line for her first MVP award after winning Defensive Player of the Year honors last season.

Teammates Natisha Hiedeman and Courtney Williams have drawn a fan following with their StudBudz excitement. Reeve has the complete embodiment of a team working in Minnesota. They are looking to avenge an ugly outcome in the WNBA Finals this season, and will hopefully win their first WNBA Championship since 2017.