Chicago Sky v Las Vegas Aces - Source: GettyWNBA Fans Abuzz as Chicago Sky Projected to Favor Hailey Van Lith over 6-Foot-3 Forward Amid Expansion Talks. (image Source: Getty

Hailey Van Lith and the Chicago Sky had a rough run last season. They failed to clinch a playoff spot and finished in 13th place in the standings. Two new teams, the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo, will be joining the WNBA heading into the 2026 season.

It means that the league will hold an expansion draft from the current player pool. Teams will have five protected picks, which they can use to make players on their roster unavailable to the expansion teams.

On Friday, a fan shared ESPN’s Kevin Pelton’s projection of the players the Chicago Sky would likely protect on X. The list featured Angel Reese’s LSU teammate, Hailey Van Lith, in the protected category while Maddy Westbeld was left unprotected.

The fans flooded the post’s comments section with their opinion on Van Lith being protected.

“HVL is a bust. Cut your losses. Maddy has potential, E Will is solid defensively, and Michaela is a passable bench player. HVL is not a priority,” one fan said.

Quin
@Quinthox

twitter logo

HVL is a bust. Cut your losses. Maddy has potential, E Will is solid defensively, and Michaela is a passable bench player. HVL is not priority

“I would protect Maddy if we’re being honest,” another fan said.

“Yea lol if Hailey there they might as well add Maddy too,” another fan said.

“I want the sky to keep maddy,” another fan said.

One fan spoke in favor of the Sky protecting Hailey Van Lith.

“Can’t dump Hailey Van Lith after throwing away a lottery pick for her. You never know who you’re getting. All off season she’s been working on point guard skills. They’re hoping she takes a step forward this year as the back up PG. Maddy was never a good fit,” the fan commented.

JacksonFive
@CouchCoach0525

twitter logo

Can’t dump Hailey Van Lith after throwing away a lottery pick for her. You never know who you’re getting. All off season she’s been working on point guard skills. They’re hoping she takes a step forward this year as the back up PG. Maddy was never a good fit.

“because it was only her rookie year last year there’s a such thing as growth,” another fan said.

Hailey Van Lith played 29 games for the Sky last season. She came off the bench in all of the 29 games and averaged 3.5 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

Maddy Westbeld, on the other hand, played 26 games and averaged 4.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game.

WNBA writer explains the reason why the Sky could choose to protect hailey van Lith over Maddy Westbeld

ESPN’s Kevin Peltion published his expansion draft projections on Friday. After listing out his guesses on the Chicago Sky, the veteran writer gave his reasons for believing in Van Lith’s safety.

“The Sky realistically are picking between 2025 draft picks Van Lith and Westbeld for their lost spot. Although Van Lith struggled as a rookie, shooting 5-of-31 (16%) on 3s, her draft position as a first-round pick in April probably still gives her the nod over Westbeld,” he wrote.

Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, Ariel Atkins and Ajsa Sivka were the four other players Pelton predicted the Sky to protect in the upcoming expansion draft