The Chicago Sky have finally landed their veteran point guard. After a long and uncertain free agency, Natasha Cloud has officially signed with the Sky on a one-year deal worth $555,000, the team announced Monday. The move comes just days before the 2026 WNBA season tips off, putting an end to weeks of speculation and unsubstantiated rumors about Cloud being blackballed for her activism.

Cloud, 34, brings a wealth of experience and grit to a Chicago squad desperate to return to the postseason. The Sky haven't made the playoffs since 2023, and last season was one of the worst in franchise history. But this signing signals a clear shift in direction. "Natasha is one of the best passers and defenders in our league," said Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca. "She fits in with the other proven winners on our roster."

Cloud's journey to Chicago has been anything but straightforward. She was traded twice last offseason, first to the Connecticut Sun as part of the Alyssa Thomas deal, then to the New York Liberty in exchange for two first-round picks. In 2025, she started 41 games for the Liberty, averaging 10.1 points, 5.1 assists, and 1.2 steals. Despite her solid play, New York decided she wasn't the best fit alongside Sabrina Ionescu in their backcourt.

Even at 34, Cloud remains a high-level defender and playmaker. It was widely assumed she'd have no trouble finding a new team, but as training camps opened, she remained unsigned. That sparked social media chatter about a potential blackballing. However, Cloud has long been one of the league's most outspoken players on social justice issues, and her activism didn't suddenly become a problem. In fact, Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb publicly praised Cloud earlier this offseason. "What she stands for is what I stand for," Kolb said. "There is no better embodiment of that than Natasha Cloud, and she puts her life on the line every single day with saying what she believes."

So what took so long? According to reports from IX Sports, Cloud changed agents multiple times in the last month. That, combined with a condensed free agency period and her own preferences for money and playing time, likely limited her options. Now, she's found a home with a Sky team that has been completely overhauled. Out went All-Star talent, and in came a new core built around resilience and veteran leadership.

For Chicago, this signing isn't just about adding a point guard. It's about adding a proven winner, a fierce competitor, and a player who can help the Sky fight their way back into the playoff picture. With Cloud at the helm, the Sky's revamped roster suddenly looks a lot more dangerous.