What per week it has been for Ariel Atkins. First signed to an Unmatched Reduction Participant Contract on Friday, Atkins is now on her approach to the Windy Metropolis.
On Sunday night, information broke throughout the WNBA world that Ariel Atkins can be traded to Chicago Sky. In return, the Washington Mystics will obtain the No. 3 general choose within the 2025 WNBA Draft. As well as, the Mystics will purchase a 2027 first-round choose swap and a 2027 second-round choose from the Sky. Underneath former head coach Eric Thibault, the Mystics missed the playoffs after two consecutive first spherical exits.
Signaling a whole rebuild, the Mystics now maintain the No. 3, No. 4, and No. 6 picks within the upcoming WNBA Draft. Washington ended final season because the No. 9 seed with a 14-26 file. With Shakira Austin approaching free company in 2026, the group will deal with growing younger skills Aaliyah Edwards and Jade Melbourne.
Earlier than Sunday, there wasn’t a pin drop from the Mystics in free company. The favorites to land UConn’s Paige Bueckers final season now have the chance to reshape the panorama of the roster.
“We thought that the belongings that we acquired within the commerce served our long-term pursuits. Our group is coming into a interval of discovery and exploration and our lens is actually one to deal with progress and growth and nurturing and competitors,” stated GM Jamila Wideman
Did the Chicago Sky Give Up Too Many Property for Ariel Atkins?
The collection of strikes would not come with out controversy. The Chicago Sky had been projected to draft a lottery choose to develop and play alongside Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. Chosen No. 3 general comes with the likes of Olivia Miles, Sonia Citron, and Kiki Iriafen. The commerce got here hours after NC State shocked Notre Dame, 104-95 in double time beyond regulation.
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The transfer follows a collection of front-office modifications by the Mystics. In December, the franchise employed new Normal Supervisor Jamila Wideman and Head Coach Sydney Johnson. The brand new administration signifies a brand new route. It makes one marvel, can the Mystics make extra strikes with three first-round picks? Will they make the most of them to swap up with the Wings? There are a number of enjoying playing cards within the Mystics arms proper now.
Atkins, 28, has spent the primary seven years of her profession with the Mystics. Drafted No. 7 general within the 2018 WNBA Draft by Washington, Atkins was the final member standing of the 2019 Championship group.
Ariel Atkins is a game-changer on the defensive finish for the Chicago Sky
👀A’ja Wilson lighting it up at @usabasketball coaching camp after the steal by Kahleah Copper and dime by Ariel Atkins pic.twitter.com/iFl1G4RK2O
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 3, 2024
Averaging a profession 13.4 factors, 3.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per recreation, Atkins defensive prowess makes her probably the most distinctive within the WNBA. Named All-Defensive First Staff in 2022, Atkins can also be a four-time WNBA All-Defensive Second Staff. Ranked no. 11 in steals per recreation final season, the Texas native is the very first participant in WNBA historical past to be named all protection within the first 5 seasons.
A two-time WNBA All-Star, Atkins is moreover a 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist. Coming off the healthiest season of her profession, the previous Mystic led the group with 14.9 factors, 3.1 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 40 video games. The addition of Atkins will additional bolster the Sky, who ranked no. 8 in defensive ranking final yr.
Much like the Mystics, the Sky is headed in a brand new route. Falling in need of the playoffs with a 13-27 file, Chicago employed head coach Tyler Marsh in November 2024. Underneath normal supervisor Jeff Pagliocca, the Sky have stayed busy in the course of the low season to say the least. Dedicated to constructing a championship roster round Reese and Cardoso, the Sky have made a number of strikes.
In probably the most historic WNBA free company intervals, the Sky signed guards Kia Nurse and Courtney Vandersloot. As well as, Chicago acquired Rebecca Allen from the Connecticut Solar in change for Lindsay Allen.
Does Ariel Atkins Make the Chicago Sky Championship Contenders?
TRADE 🚨
The Washington Mystics commerce the contract of Ariel Atkins to the Chicago Sky in change for Chicago’s personal 2025 1st spherical draft choose (#3), the precise to swap the groups’ personal 2027 1st spherical draft picks, and Chicago’s personal 2027 2nd spherical draft choose.#WNBAFreeAgency pic.twitter.com/5d37hf5Rot
— WNBA (@WNBA) February 24, 2025
Undoubtedly, Atkins is a game-changer on each ends of the ground. The Mystics all-time chief in three-pointers made (397) and three-pointers tried (1,097), Atkins has a profession 36.2 three-point proportion. Her means to attain brings much-needed offensive versatility to the Sky. Nevertheless, with out Chennedy Carter, it is a full cube roll. With Reese and Cardoso nonetheless growing, is that this Sky group prepared for a championship run? Though they’ve veteran items, this lineup would not stack up towards the Liberty, Aces, Storm, Mercury, and so forth.
That is primarily an enormous danger, provided that Atkins will develop into a free agent in 2026. Whereas the Sky’s current acquisitions scream win-now mode, solely time will inform with this roster. Though the Sky may all the time core Atkins, they gave up a substantial quantity of picks for a possible one yr rental.
Total, this transfer may very well be dangerous and may need long-term penalties for the Sky. With JuJu Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo, and Milaysia Fulwiley headlining the 2027 WNBA draft class, the stakes are excessive. Whereas it is unsure if the Sky are true contenders, Atkins’ scoring means will present an enormous enhance to a group that ranked eleventh in offensive ranking final season.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content material Creator, and Supervisor for Ballislife Bets. She has a deal with the Ladies’s Basketball and the NBA. Sara Jane at the moment resides within the Connecticut/NYC space along with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma in Economics from the College of Connecticut.
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