The Chicago Sky have made a major splash just days before the season opener, signing veteran guard Natasha Cloud to a one-year deal worth a reported $555,000. The move, announced Monday, brings a proven winner and defensive stalwart to a team looking to make noise in the WNBA this year.

Cloud's arrival comes on the heels of a surprising roster shake-up: the Sky waived guard Hailey Van Lith just days before Friday's season tip-off against the Portland Fire. Van Lith, the No. 11 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, was entering her second season with Chicago. The swift decision signals the Sky's commitment to upgrading their backcourt with immediate impact talent.

For Cloud, this signing ends an unusually long free agency period that stretched well into the WNBA preseason. The seasoned guard, known for her tenacious defense and playmaking, adds a gritty, championship-caliber presence to a Sky squad eager to build on last season's momentum. At $555,000, the contract reflects Chicago's belief that Cloud's veteran leadership can be the difference-maker in a tightly contested league.

With the season opener looming, all eyes will be on how Cloud meshes with her new teammates—and how the Sky's revamped roster performs under the spotlight.