Sky waive Hailey Van Lith, sign Natasha Cloud — a brutal end to Year 1 for HVL

Hailey Van Lith was a 2025 first-round pick. She's not on the Chicago Sky anymore. The team waived her Monday and signed 12-year veteran Natasha Cloud to a one-year, $555K deal — citing the coaching staff's preferred "style of play." That's a polite phrase for "she didn't fit."

This is brutal. HVL came into the W with as much hype as any non-Bueckers, non-Clark guard in her draft class. LSU run, TCU run, three years of brand. One year and 17 games in, she's looking for her next job before the season starts.

Cloud is the opposite of HVL on paper — pass-first floor general, plus defender, won a title in Phoenix. She'll start at the point. The Sky tip off the season Sunday against the Lynx. HVL gets 48 hours to clear waivers and find another team that wants her style.