Quick Three: Diamond DeShields, Taya Reimer Sign with Chicago
DeShields returns to Chicago after 4 years and a title in her first stint while Reimer could be the Sky's latest overseas find.
With Nneka Ogwumike making her move to Seattle official, the Sky’s new front office acted quickly to use up some of the roster slots left in her wake by making a pair of additions—Diamond DeShields and Taya Reimer—to the team’s roster on Monday. Details on DeShields’ contract are yet to be disclosed, but the former Tennessee guard will presumably be a part of the opening day roster given her ability and credentials. Reimer, to the contrary, will face a battle for her place in the preseason given she signed a non-protected training camp deal. Of course, with the Sky’s recent track record of finding and maximizing overseas talent (Gardner, Bertsch, Parks to name a few), it’s more than possible that Reimer winds up a part of the final roster as well.
1.What does the rotation look like after these moves?
We’ve pored over it so much that this feels a bit redundant but (just in case you’re coming out of hibernation like Punxsutawney Phil) here’s where the roster currently stands:
Guards/Wings: Kahleah Copper, Dana Evans, Marina Mabrey, Diamond DeShields, Lindsay Allen
Bigs: Elizabeth Williams, Isabelle Harrison, Li Yueru, Sika Koné, Taya Reimer
That’s 10 names while the Sky’s final roster will be either 11 or (presumably) 12 players. With Rebekah Gardner, Morgan Bertsch and Robyn Parks all available to sign exclusively as ‘reserved’ players, you can already see that some of these will not end up as a part of the Sky’s opening day roster. So, if no one else was signed (though I’m certain more will be), who would miss out? The answer is likely dependent on Li Yueru’s plans for the 2024 season. It’s already confirmed that several players—former Sky forward Gabby Williams, for instance—will skip the season entirely to focus on the Olympic in Paris, and given the emphasis her country places on the Games, it wouldn’t be stunning to see Yueru do the same.
In that respect, Reimer’s signing looks like something of an insurance policy for the Sky in the event that Yueru and China qualify for the Olympics later in the week (which they will) and she decides to skip the season. In any case, it’s hard to imagine a world where the Sky open the season with 6 players on the roster who will feature exclusively at either center or power forward. As a result, you’d have to expect to see at least one of the 5 contracted bigs (plus Bertsch) released before the season begins. Williams and Harrison are both signed to protected contracts, but the remainder of the players in those two positions are on (or will be on) unprotected deals. In other words, there could be a lot of competition at training camp—with no one but the starters assured of their place on the day one roster.
Even if the Sky trim down to 5 bigs alongside the 5 perimeter players listed above, there’s only two spots left on the roster for Gardner, Parks and the 13th pick in April’s draft left to occupy. In that respect, the addition of DeShields could have a profound impact on Parks’ future with the team. With Evans or Allen set to be the primary ball handler for the second unit and Gardner presumably filling one of the wing spots, Parks and DeShields would be left fighting for the minutes left over on the perimeter. Parks, for what its worth, did play some minutes at the four last season alongside Kahleah Copper, but it’s difficult to envision her being a game-to-game contributor at that position as she has the length, but probably not the bulk, needed to regularly operate against many of the league’s more robust power forwards.
2.Diamond DeShields Returns
Before I get into the analytical side of this move, let me just say that—from a human perspective—DeShields returning to the Sky is very fun. When DeShields left Chicago, she was seeking a role that the franchise simply couldn’t offer her at the time, but the variety of change both parties have experienced since means this could well end up as the perfect time for a reunion. While all signs point towards her starting the season as a rotational player off the bench, Kahleah Copper is probably the only player who can feel that their starting spot is guaranteed. Thus, DeShields—who will only be 29 when the season tips off—has a strong chance to play herself into a more expansive role if she can return from injury and get back to her best level. Of course, it is important to be patient as returning to that level—having not played since 2022—will be a progressive process for DeShields.
From a role perspective, there’s a great chance that a future move (or moves) changes the dialogue around the Sky’s plans further, but it would certainly seem that DeShields slots in as the team’s back-up shooting guard behind Marina Mabrey as things stand. The question, then, is whether Lindsay Allen—who was signed by the Sky last week—might actually wind up as the team’s starter after the early assumption was that she would lead the second unit. With Allen (26% career 3PT), DeShields (30%), and any combination of the bigs mentioned above (Bertsch aside), the spacing of the Sky’s reserves borders on dysfunctional. To correct the issue, Dana Evans could reprise her role as one of the league’s top bench players, but that seems counterintuitive to her development—especially in a year where contending for a title feels unlikely. Of course, the Sky could also elevate DeShields into the starting lineup, but moving Mabrey—a max player for each of the next two seasons—to the bench would be equally as detrimental. All that said, professional teams don’t usually (and shouldn’t ever—Monty Williams) play 5 in, 5 out; so, most of these issues can be alleviated with creative staggering—especially with all four guards capable of playing well on and off ball.
Overall, DeShields’ return is exciting for the Sky because of her obvious talent, familiarity with franchise cornerstone Kahleah Copper and (by all accounts) exceptional attitude, but her role within the team’s current context is a little bit tricky to pin down—at least for now. If nothing else, DeShields is a very versatile player—meaning she will find ways to add value regardless of how she’s used.
3.Could Taya Reimer be the Sky’s latest diamond in the rough?
As I mentioned above, the Sky have had a great deal of success finding ‘veteran rookies’ overseas in recent years. And, if I’m honest, Reimer’s play in Botaş’ win over Hatay last week (which I covered after the signing of her teammate Lindsay Allen) definitely stuck out as she finished with 22 points and 9 boards in only 22 minutes. That said, we all know there’s still a long path for Reimer to journey down before she’s a part of the Sky’s opening day roster. First and foremost, the logjam of bigs. Second, the spacing problems (Reimer has shot just 1/6 on three-point attempts in Turkey). Lastly, the Sky’s 13th overall pick—which could well be used on any number of talented bigs in this year’s loaded draft class.
For all the roadblocks that Reimer must overcome, there’s also a lot she brings to the table that Chicago needs. Most importantly: rebounding. On a training camp contract with no strings attached, Reimer has the opportunity to wind up as one of the best reserve rebounders in the league based on her tape. Listed at 6’3”, it’s no secret that Reimer brings height, but her broad shoulders—similar to Yueru—would give her a natural advantage boxing out even if she weren’t strong (which she is). Similarly, her physical tools allow her to easily post up and act as a high-percentage target for her perimeter players. In this respect, her tape from Turkey may be a bit misleading as most of her opponents will be bigger and tougher to back down in the W, but she still looks to possess the physical strength needed to hold her own at the highest level. Lastly, we have to imagine personality won’t be a concern. By signing a teammate of Allen’s, the Sky not only got the chance to scout both players at the same time but also, to get Allen’s thoughts on how Reimer’s temperament aligns with her own and, more importantly, with the mindset Spoon is looking to build the team around.