Hailey Van Lith has been waived by the Chicago Sky after her rookie season. Could the Atlanta Dream be her next destination? Here’s a breakdown.
Van Lith was the 11th overall pick in last year’s draft. She averaged 3.5 PPG and 1.6 APG in 12.4 minutes per game during her rookie season, shooting inconsistently in limited opportunities.
Chicago’s decision likely comes down to roster priorities. The Sky are clearly leaning toward veteran guard play, with players like Courtney Vandersloot and Skylar Diggins-Smith handling primary responsibilities, along with Natasha Cloud.
With a crowded backcourt and a push to stay competitive now, development minutes for a young guard like Van Lith became harder to justify. Injuries didn’t help her case either, slowing what was already a limited rookie window.
Waiving a recent first-round pick on a rookie contract is surprising especially after she flashed upside, including a 20-point preseason performance against the Phoenix Mercury.
On paper, the Atlanta Dream could consider adding guard depth. Van Lith has combo guard skills and prior chemistry with Angel Reese from both Chicago and their college days.
However, Atlanta’s current roster construction makes this a questionable fit. The Dream already have guards who fill similar roles, and adding another ball-dominant, offense-first player may not address their biggest needs.
Van Lith would likely be competing directly with Te-Hina Paopao for minutes, which complicates things further.
While Hailey Van Lith has some upside as a backup combo guard, her defensive limitations make her a poor fit for Atlanta’s system.
She is undersized for her position and has struggled defensively, which becomes a bigger issue on a team that values perimeter defense. In contrast, Te-Hina Paopao offers a more balanced profile, particularly as a more reliable defender and efficient perimeter shooter.
That difference matters when you are fighting for a limited roster spot in a competitive league.
Tough break for Van Lith. Despite the setback, she’s too skilled to be out of the league for long.
Injuries derailed her rookie year, but she showed flashes of shot creation and ball-handling upside dating back to her time at Louisville, LSU, and TCU. Players in her position often benefit from a change of scenery and a clearer developmental role.
WNBA roster spots are limited, but teams looking for scoring punch off the bench could take a chance on a motivated player with something to prove. Van Lith now enters the next phase of her career with a chip on her shoulder and that could end up working in her favor.
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