The Chicago Sky acquired guard Ariel Atkins from the Washington Mystics in exchange for a handful of draft picks, including the No. 3 pick in this year's WNBA Draft, on Sunday.
Atkins, a 7-year veteran for the Mystics and a 2-time All-Star, leaves the squad as the most 3-point prolific shooter in its history. Along with her championship experience, the former Texas guard can be a talented guard for Chicago if she can mesh well with the Sky's big duo and its newest additions at the guard spots.
What does Atkins bring to the table? And can she be a part of the foundation the Sky need to potentially compete for free agents in 2026?
Shooting
Atkins can be a fantastic secondary scorer and shooter for the Sky if given the right opportunities on the perimeter.
The former champion has a knack for knocking down catch-and-shoot tries while also being efficient from the mid-range. She is the Mystics' all-time leader in 3-pointers made with 397. The 5-foot-10 guard hit about 35.7% of her long-range shots during the Mystics' 2024 campaign and 40% or more on 17 occasions last season. She showed off her shooting prowess in the four games she suited up for against Chicago last season. She hit 50% of her 14 total shots, including three of five in a close win over the Sky in August.
Atkins can address Chicago's need for shooting and spacing. The squad as a whole hit just 34.4% of their mid-range tries last season, their lowest since the 2021 season. Their 32.3% clip from the arc was one of the lowest in the Sky's history. They were just below the 2008 Chicago Sky, who went 12-22 and were led on the 3-point line by guards Cathy Joens and Jia Perkins.
Defense
While the Sky do have a handful of solid defensive bigs under contract, Chicago is in need of shoring up its defensive potential before the start of the 2025 season. The Sky ended their 2024 campaign with a defensive rating of 103.5, putting them behind the Mystics at eighth place in the WNBA.
Atkins, a 5-time All-Defensive team selection, can be the disruptor the Sky need to shore up their defense next season. She averaged 1.5 steals per game as she used her eye for tracking the ball to pick off passes with ease. If she can be a reliable primary defender for the Sky, she will more than prove to be a valuable addition to a Chicago squad looking to boost its way back into playoff contention.