What happened: Angel Reese won the 2026 Kia Defensive Player of the Year award in her first season after leaving Chicago. The result puts the trade back in focus as the Sky finished outside the playoff field again. After the deal, Courtney Vandersloot said she was looking forward to Chicago getting back to its "winning identity" without Reese.

Why it matters: League awards can change how a front office is judged, and this one arrived almost immediately after the move. It also hardens the contrast between Chicago's result and Angel Reese heading into the postseason with one of the league's top defensive resumes.

What to watch: Reese now carries the award into postseason games, where every defensive possession will draw added attention. Chicago's next checkpoint is the offseason, with roster-building decisions likely to face heavier scrutiny after another missed playoff berth.