Sky acquire two future second-round draft picks from Liberty for rights to Rebekah Gardner

The Sky made their final roster move Thursday before the WNBA Draft.

First-year general manager Jeff Pagliocca traded the rights to guard Rebekah Gardner to the Liberty for second-round draft picks in 2025 and 2026. The move leaves Dana Evans as the only player left from the Sky’s 26-10 season just two years ago.

Former Sky coach/general manager James Wade signed Gardner before the 2022 season after scouting her overseas. It was technically Gardner’s rookie season, but her 10-year overseas career prepared her for instant success on a title-contending team. She averaged 8.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals coming off the bench for the Sky.

Pagliocca was in discussions about the possibility of moving Gardner — who was a restricted free agent — in a sign-and-trade before she tore her right Achilles playing for Spanish club Spar Girona in February.

After trading franchise star Kahleah Copper, at her request, Pagliocca shifted focus from trying to build around the 2021 Finals MVP to rebuilding with a younger core. Regaining draft capital has been a priority, and while Gardner’s injury affected her trade value, two future second-round picks give Pagliocca assets to work with.

Because Gardner never signed her qualifying offer with the Sky, the Liberty only have acquired her rights, meaning they can negotiate contract terms. She underwent surgery to repair her Achilles but isn’t expected to play this season.

After moving Gardner, the Sky’s roster is at nine players with $391,887 in cap space and three roster spots to fill. Pagliocca signed forward Taya Reimer and guards Chennedy Carter and Kysre Gondrezick to training-camp contracts. One spot belongs to whomever the Sky draft with the No. 3 pick. The remaining two will come down to the Sky’s three training-camp players and whomever they draft with the Nos. 8 and 13 picks.

SKY DRAFT PICKS

2024

First round: No. 3 overall from Mercury and No. 8 overall from Sparks via Dream.

Second round: No. 13 overall from Wings via Fever.

2025

First round: Rights to swap with Wings.

Second round: Pick from Sky via Mercury; pick from Liberty.

2026

First-round: Team’s own pick and pick from Mercury.

Second Round: Rights to swap pick with Mercury; pick from Liberty.

Third Round: Team’s own pick.