The first bit of intrigue in the post-Angel Reese era has arrived.
The Sky are in talks with the Sparks on a trade that would send Ariel Atkins to Los Angeles for guard Rickea Jackson, according to Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports. A source familiar with the Sky’s thinking previously told the Sun-Times they’re open to moving Atkins.
If the report holds, the Sky would add another young building block to a team that sorely needs scoring and star potential. But they would lose a proven, two-time All-Star, and potentially more, depending on how the deal shakes out.
Start with the good news. Jackson, 25, is a dynamic up-and-coming scorer who averaged 14.7 points per game for the Sparks last season.
The Sky actually had a chance to draft her with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft, but selected 6’7 center Kamilla Cardoso instead. Now this trade would give them both, and a Jackson-Cardoso pairing should work better than the Cardoso-Reese frontcourt ever did.
On the other hand, losing Atkins would hurt. She was their best guard last season and is a better defender than Jackson.
But she struggled to adapt to life as a primary scorer, and at 29, she’s on a different timeline than Cardoso, the Sky’s best piece right now.
That’s why Jackson might fit better long term. Picture this: a healthy Courtney Vandersloot running the show, an ascending Jackson and a breakout Cardoso. Throw a star free agent into the mix and it’s not a bad vision.
But a lot still depends on the terms of the trade.
If the Sky have to include their No. 5 pick in the 2026 draft, the value proposition gets a lot murkier.
Acquiring Atkins already cost the Sky the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft — which became Sonia Citron — plus a pick swap in 2027, which is when college stars Juju Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo and Madison Booker will be available.
The Sky designated Atkins as a core player this week, which would allow them to execute a sign-and-trade. At the very least, the core designation prevents her from walking away without a return.
It’s still unclear whether Atkins wants to return or wants out — toward the end of a tumultuous 10-34 season, she told the Sun-Times she was undecided.
However the deal shakes out, it won’t be enough to make the Sky playoff contenders in the post-Reese era. The only other players currently under contract are Hailey Van Lith and Maddy Westbeld. The team extended a qualifying offer to point guard Sevgi Uzun and expects Vandersloot to return.
That won’t be enough. And they know it.
They’re planning to take big swings in free agency, according to a source, but it’s unclear what would attract a star to Chicago. The Sky are coming off two losing seasons and still face public criticism from players about its facilities.
There is a path forward: a new practice facility in Bedford Park is set to open this season, and coach Tyler Marsh is building a reputation as both a tactician and a relationship builder. But for now, it’s still more promise than proof.
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