Paige Bueckers is expected to be the first name called in the 2025 WNBA Draft – and the Chicago Sky could yet secure the top spot in the lottery to pair her with Angel Reese

Paige Bueckers could get taken by the Chicago Sky in the WNBA Draft to set up a tantalizing tandem with Angel Reese.

The 2024 WNBA regular season had a fascinating storyline throughout as rivals Reese and Caitlin Clark went head-to-head for the Rookie of the Year award. Amid immense expectation, Clark clinched the award after posting 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and a league-leading 8.4 assists per game as the Indiana Fever reached the playoffs.

But Reese still enjoyed a stellar debut season in her own right. The 22-year-old was firmly in the race alongside Clark before her injury, finishing with 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds across her rookie campaign.

 

Looking ahead to her sophomore season, Reese has been outspoken about her willingness for talent to join her at the Sky either via free agency or the draft. For the 2025 WNBA Draft, Chicago is in the running for the top picks as one of the four lottery teams.

Bueckers is the presumed No. 1 overall pick given her glittering resume and superstar status. The WNBA Draft Lottery takes place on Sunday, Nov. 17 with the Sky looking to beat out the Dallas Wings, Washington Mystics, and Los Angeles Sparks.

If the Sky gets the right to select Bueckers, the franchise will likely pair Reese with the 23-year-old Connecticut starlet. And the decision would undoubtedly be welcomed by Bueckers.

Angel Reese wants the Sky to add talented players ahead of her sophomore season ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
As part of an interview with Sports Illustrated early this year, collegiate stars JuJu Watkins and Cooper Flagg joined Bueckers in declaring who they thought should win the much-publicized Rookie of the Year award between Clark and Reese.

Flagg went with Clark, Watkins went with Reese, but Bueckers suggested both were worthy. She said: “I mean, you can’t go wrong with Angel Reese or Caitlin.”

After showing promise early in the 2024 WNBA season and positioning themselves to make the postseason, the Sky collapsed down the stretch – particularly after Reese suffered a season-ending wrist injury. Chicago eventually ended with a 13-27 record, which was ultimately four games worse than their record last season.

The disappointing end of the season led to head coach Teresa Wetherspoon getting fired, with former Las Vegas Aces assistant Tyler Marsh taking the reins of the Sky. The hire delighted Reese, and she would undoubtedly love to link up with Bueckers in Chicago.

With Reese and fellow rookie sensation Kamilla Cardoso serving as the key pillars of the Sky going forward, Marsh will look to develop his pair of bigs and help them reach their exciting potential. He has been praised for his player-development skills, specifically his work with three-time MVP A’ja Wilson.