Chicago City Wire

The Chicago Sky have completed a trade to acquire Ariel Atkins, a WNBA Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, from the Washington Mystics. In exchange, the Sky will send their 2025 third overall pick, a 2027 second-round pick, and rights to swap 2027 first-round picks to Washington. The terms of the deal remain undisclosed as per team policy.

Sky General Manager Jeff Pagliocca praised Atkins' impact on the league since her rookie year. "Ariel has made a tremendous impact on this league since her rookie year," Pagliocca stated. "She is an excellent role model for her teammates and an all-star caliber contributor. As one of the league’s top defensive specialists and a consistent scorer, she is a threat on both ends of the floor who will help us build a playoff-contending team in Chicago."

Atkins was initially drafted by Washington as the seventh overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft and spent seven years with them. During her time with the Mystics, she set several franchise records including ranking first in three-pointers made (397) and second in steals (313). She also helped lead Washington to five playoff appearances, including winning a WNBA Championship in 2019.

In 2024, Atkins was Washington's leading scorer with an average of 14.9 points per game over all 40 games played that season. Her performance included setting new personal bests such as scoring 36 points in one game and achieving a career-high total of 597 points for that season.

Before joining Chicago, Atkins played overseas with teams like Fenerbahce Spor Kulubu Istanbul in Turkey and Unrivaled in Miami. She also contributed as an assistant coach for player development at Michigan during the offseason.

The Chicago Sky will begin their regular season against Indiana Fever on May 17 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. They are also scheduled to play three preseason games before then.