What will be on Tyler Marsh's plate as the Sky's new coach?
Every coaching vacancy in the WNBA offers opportunities and presents challenges.
Some might argue none more than in Chicago because of the circumstances that preceded the Sky’s vacancy. The Sky are the only franchise on its fourth coach in two years after former coach/general manager James Wade’s midseason resignation last year, Emre Vatansever’s stint as interim coach and Teresa Weatherspoon’s one-year hold on the job.
The instability in Chicago created an undesirable quality in the job opening. But the young talent, draft stock and ability to influence the direction of the franchise offer intrigue.
Tyler Marsh — whom the Sky hired Saturday — will have his hands full from the jump. Up first on Marsh’s to-do list will be tackling the expansion draft Dec. 6 with general manager Jeff Pagliocca.
The Sky’s new tandem has been in daily discussions. While the coach and general manager roles are separate, early signs point to Marsh and Pagliocca having a collaborative relationship.
Expansion draft rules allow teams to protect six players on their roster regardless of free-agent status. Four of the six players the Sky will likely protect are no-brainers: Elizabeth Williams, Kamilla Cardoso, Angel Reese and Lindsay Allen. The remaining two will depend largely on the direction Marsh and Pagliocca want to take the Sky.
They could end up protecting a player such as forward Isabelle Harrison, but she is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the new year. If a team protects a pending free agent, it runs the risk of losing her in free agency.
The Sky also could negotiate with the Valkyries for a trade via the expansion draft. Protected-player lists are due Nov. 26. Between that date and Dec. 5, the Valkyries will be able to make trades. Anything from an agreement to select a player to trade her to another team to an agreement not to select a certain player is on the table.
Another item on Marsh’s to-do list is creating a development plan for his young stars and an overall idea of how he wants to utilize them next season.
Cardoso already has proved she can be the league’s most dominant big one day. With Marsh’s influence, she also could develop into one of the best passing bigs. In her rookie season, Cardoso demonstrated her ability to pass out of the post. She rarely thinks about putting the ball on the floor first. Expect Marsh to develop those skills.
As for Reese, expect to see her face-up game develop. During her rookie season, one of Reese’s biggest struggles was efficiency. But when Reese faced up with her opponent before attacking the rim, the outcome was more favorable in many instances. Sealing defenders in the post and the footwork required to finish or get to the free-throw line will be other priorities, along with developing her ability to make plays with the ball in transition.
Marsh’s championship experience will help him tackle one of his most critical tasks: influencing ownership.
He comes from the Aces, the top organization in the WNBA regarding investment and player experience. Before that, he spent years in the NBA, including a stint with the Raptors during their championship season in 2019.
The Sky needed a coach who could come in and set lofty expectations for how the franchise should operate. Like Wade, who arrived in Chicago in 2018 fresh off of a WNBA championship with the Lynx, Marsh could be that guy.