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Angel Reese’s time in Chicago could be coming to an end. While speaking with the Chicago Tribune, Reese put pressure on the team to get better players as the Sky continue to struggle this season.
“I’m not settling for the same s— we did this year,” she told the Chicago Tribune. “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,” she said. “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.”
Reese went on to threaten to force her way out of Chicago if they didn’t get better this offseason.
“I am very vocal about what we need and what I want,” Reese added. “I’d like to be here for my career, but if things don’t pan out, obviously I might have to move in a different direction and do what’s best for me. But while I am here, I’m going to try to stay open-minded about what I have here and maximize that as much as I can.”
In the report, Reese said she doesn’t believe teammates Rachel Banham or Hailey Van Lith are capable of leading a playoff team.
Reese’s teammates have seen her comments and now plan to confront her in a scheduled team meeting.
Multiple league sources told FOS the entire team has seen Reese’s comments and that teammates are unhappy with the direct attacks.
A team meeting is planned at which players are expected to address Reese directly.
Multiple WNBA executives who spoke to FOS characterized Reese’s comments on her teammates as unprecedented. While conversations about roster construction and necessary changes happen frequently internally, it’s rare for a player to air them publicly.