Candace Parker Agrees to Chicago Sky Contract, Leaves Sparks After 13 Seasons

After spending 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks, Candace Parker is switching addresses.

Parker agreed to a contract to play for the Chicago Sky as an unrestricted free agent on Monday. Ramona Shelburne of ESPN first reported the move on Jan. 27. According to Madeline Kenney of the Chicago Sun Times, Parker signed a two-year deal.

"Chicago is where my family raised me; where I first learned the game of basketball; and where I first fell in love with this orange ball," Parker said in a statement, per Kenney. "I am excited to continue the next chapter of my career where it all began. To my new teammates, my new organization, and my new fans: I'm home."

Parker also took to Instagram to thank L.A. as she heads for Chicago:

Parker, 34, finished third in the MVP voting this past season after averaging 14.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks in 30.2 minutes per game across 22 contests.

Parker is a five-time All-Star, was the 2008 Rookie of the Year and the 2016 WNBA Finals MVP. She's averaged 16.9 points and 8.6 rebounds for her career, exceeding 20 points per game once (2010, 20.6 PPG). She is also a six-time first-team All-WNBA selection, including in the 2020 campaign.

Chicago, which finished 12-10 last season but lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Connecticut Sun, has built a scary roster.

Parker will join Allie Quigley (15.4 PPG) and Courtney Vandersloot (13.6 PPG, 10.0 APG) in a starting five that should wreak havoc next season. Diamond DeShields had an off year (6.8 PPG) that was shortened by injuries, but she remains one of the game's intriguing young talents.

With Parker reportedly signing with Chicago, breakout star Cheyenne Parker may be on the way out. The Sky unlikely have the cap space to sign both players, barring some surprise roster moves. Adding Candace Parker is an upgrade, no doubt, but Cheyenne Parker is a tough player to lose, especially after she shot a career-best 46.9 percent from three last year.