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Sky's Chatman says veteran Cash will be missed

It was a big deal when the Chicago Sky added veteran forward Swin Cash to its roster two years ago.

Head coach and general manager Pokey Chatman traded her No. 2 pick in the WNBA draft for Cash, a three-time WNBA champion.

Cash was valued for her leadership, and was being counted on to teach her inexperienced teammates about what it takes to win at the highest level.

Cash's lesson plan, however, has been interrupted here.

On Tuesday, Chatman confirmed off-season rumors that the Sky and Cash had parted ways. Cash's contract had expired at the end of last season and Chatman says the Sky was willing to offer a one-year extension with a salary that likely would have made Cash, who started every game in two years with the Sky, the highest paid player in the WNBA this summer. But the 35-year-old Cash, who has a history of serious injuries, wanted more than one year. The two sides couldn't reach a compromise.

"Swin is a tremendous player and we offered her the maximum contract," Chatman said. "We didn't come to an agreement on the number of years and she decided not to sign it.

"That's not to slight Swin. She'll be missed, and I value what she brought to our franchise. But also, I know that I have to build this team with the players who are here in camp, and that's what we're focused on."

As of Tuesday, Cash had not with a team. She was drafted by Detroit in 2002 and has played 12 WNBA seasons.

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