For the most part, being able to multitask is a positive quality.
For the Sky, however, being the last remaining NBA or WNBA team operating with a coach/general manager position was not something to brag about.
After the midseason departure of former coach/GM James Wade, followed by voiced support for the separation of the roles from several players, Sky star Kahleah Copper announced that the franchise finally would be separating the roles.
On Tuesday, the Sky made the second necessary hire to bring them up to speed with the rest of the league by promoting Jeff Pagliocca from director of skill development to general manager.
“I’m very proud to partner with coach Weatherspoon and the Sky front office to shape a championship-caliber roster,” Pagliocca said in a statement. “With a strong background in strategy, player development and tenure with this team, I am eager to build upon our tradition of excellence, hard work and winning in this energizing new chapter of Sky basketball.”
Teresa Weatherspoon was officially named coach of the Sky on Oct. 12 and was introduced by the team last week. Pagliocca was present to help welcome Weatherspoon to the organization alongside other staff members. Ann Wauters, Tonya Edwards and former interim coach/GM Emre Vatansever — who previously said he would be open to remaining on staff as an assistant — were not on hand.
Ownership’s decision to hire a coach first came with some questions, mostly surrounding how the incoming GM would feel about not having played a role in the coaching search. Sky co-owner and operating chairman Nadia Rawlinson defended the team’s decision, saying, “We do things differently.”
Turns out, the Sky don’t do things all that differently. They had their GM first; he was just filling a different role.
Pagliocca has been with the organization the last four seasons, assisting in player development in various capacities. He has worked directly with Courtney Vandersloot for all four years, including in the offseason.
He began working with Emma Meesseman in 2022 and individually with Copper in 2023. Pagliocca’s experience in player development also includes working with athletes at the college level and in the NBA.
“Jeff’s expertise in player development and data-driven talent evaluation, sophisticated basketball IQ and his incredible relationships with players make him the perfect choice to complement coach Weatherspoon as we strive for another championship in Chicago,” Sky CEO Adam Fox said.
Pagliocca’s knowledge of the Sky’s roster going back to the team’s 2021 championship season will benefit him as he continues the rebuild that started under Wade. But questions linger regarding his experience in roster construction in terms of scouting talent overseas and at the college level.
Pagliocca spent a considerable amount of time working alongside Wade in his four previous years with the organization but was not a full-time member of the Sky’s staff. He was brought on as an official member of the Sky’s coaching staff on July 22.
The organization stated in its release that Pagliocca will work closely alongside Weatherspoon and Sky ownership. Securing Copper’s extension at the end of the season took a collective effort from Fox, Rawlinson and principal owner Michael Alter, which could be an indication that future roster moves will be handled by committee.
The Sky have five players under protected contracts heading into the 2024 season: Copper, Elizabeth Williams, Dana Evans, Isabelle Harrison and Marina Mabrey.
Ruthy Hebard is a restricted free agent, and Morgan Bertsch, Robyn Parks and Rebekah Gardner are all reserved. According to HerHoopStats.com, the Sky and Pagliocca will have $951,752 in cap space to work with when free agency begins in January.
