Coach/GM James Wade leaves the Chicago Sky at midseason to join the Toronto Raptors coaching staff – The Denver Post

Chicago Sky coach and general manager James Wade resigned from the team Saturday to accept an assistant coaching position with the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, leaving the WNBA franchise reeling in the midst of a rebuilding season.

Operating Chairman and co-owner Nadia Rawlinson told the Tribune that Wade had received approval from the Sky to take coaching interviews during the season, but his departure this week still came as a surprise to the front office.

“It was relatively fast,” Rawlinson said. “This was an unexpected opportunity.”

NBA teams, including the Raptors, will report to Las Vegas next week for summer league. Sky players were informed of Wade’s exit Saturday morning shortly before the team’s announcement.

Assistant coach Emre Vatansever was named interim general manager and head coach. His first game will be Sunday against the Indiana Fever. Rawlinson said the Sky plan to keep Vatansever in the interim position through the end of the 2023 season.

“Right now we’re concentrating on the season and making sure we can get through the season,” Rawlinson said. “We have a lot of confidence in what (Vatansever) will bring. We have a lot of faith there. So the process will unfold as we see what’s right for the franchise and our goals for the future.”

Under Wade’s leadership, the Sky won their first championship in 2021, then recorded the winningest regular season in franchise history in 2022. He posted an 81-59 record over 4 1/2 seasons, plus a 13-8 playoff record.

The Sky signed Wade in January 2021 to a four-year contract extension through 2025, a deal that would have made him one of the longest-tenured coaches in WNBA history had he completed it.

This loss is twofold for the Sky, who relied on Wade to shape the vision for the team in his dual role as coach and general manager. He secured major free-agent signings such as Candace Parker and traded for young talent such as Gary native Dana Evans. He was named WNBA Coach of the Year in 2019 and WNBA Executive of the Year in 2022.

After four starters, including Parker, departed the Sky in free agency last offseason, Wade took risks to trade away the bulk of the team’s 2023 draft picks in order to retool the roster around All-Star guard Kahleah Copper. The Sky are 7-9 to start this season.

Rawlinson said the Sky have not determined whether they will pursue separate hires to fill the general manager and coach openings or maintain one person in both roles. With Vatansever filling the dual position on an interim basis, the front office hopes to encounter “no speed bumps” in continuing the development plan for this season.

Despite the challenges created by Wade’s exit, Rawlinson voiced support for his decision, citing his move to the NBA as a reflection of the Sky’s growth as a franchise.

“I am so proud of (Wade) and we are as a franchise, the players are — it’s really fantastic,” Rawlinson said. “I think it’s a signal, quite honestly, to the quality not just of the WNBA but the type of talent we have at the Chicago Sky and the culture that we have cultivated. We’re looking forward to continuing that narrative.”

()