Sources: Sky sign G Natasha Cloud, waive Hailey Van Lith - ESPN

The Chicago Sky have signed guard Natasha Cloud, one of the highest-profile free agents who was still on the market, with sources telling ESPN the deal is for one year at $555,000.

Cloud, a 10-year veteran, averaged 10.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 41 game for the New York Liberty last season.

«Natasha is one of the best passers and defenders in our league,» Chicago general manager Jeff Pagliocca said Monday in a statement. «She fits in with the other proven winners on our roster.»

In a separate move, Chicago waived Hailey Van Lith, with sources telling ESPN that the decision was based on the coaching staff's «style-of-play preference.»

Van Lith was selected by the Sky with the 11th pick in the 2025 draft and averaged 3.5 points per game in 12.4 minutes during her rookie campaign. The 5-foot-9 guard was limited to 29 games last season as she dealt with an ankle injury throughout the year, but she is healthy after spending the summer rehabbing, per sources.

There is a lot of interest in the former college standout, and active conversations are being held with a number of teams throughout the league, sources told ESPN.

In the 5-10 Cloud, Chicago gets a player in a more traditional point guard role, impacting the game most when she is running the offense. She's also considered one of peskiest defensive guards in the league. Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb told reporters that New York did not bring her back because of how it needed to construct the backcourt around Sabrina Ionescu, who has played better when she is on the ball and surrounded by length.

Before joining the Liberty, Cloud played one season for the Phoenix Mercury in 2024. She spent the first eight years of her career as a member of