The Chicago Sky acquired guard Ariel Atkins from the Washington Mystics in exchange for the No. 3 pick, the rights to swap 1st-rounders in 2027 and a 2nd-round selection in 2027, the team announced in a Sunday release.
Atkins, a 2-time All-Star and 5-time All-Defensive selection, played and started in 40 games for the Mystics last season. She averaged 14.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game in nearly 30 minutes of play per contest. The former Texas guard has spent all seven years of her WNBA career with the Mystics, where she won a championship alongside a few former Sky players in 2019. The 5-foot-10 guard is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026 after signing a multi-year extension in 2023.
The Sky will bring in another addition to a growing list of capable guards on their 2025 roster. Atkins holds the Mystics' franchise record in 3-pointers made with just under 400. Chicago signed guard Courtney Vandersloot, the franchise leader in assists and steals, earlier this month. They continued to build out their depth with the additions of guards Kia Nurse and Rebecca Allen, who joined the roster via two February moves. Chicago will still have to address their need for a backup four after forward Isabelle Harrison signed with the New York Liberty on Friday.
The Mystics now own the No. 3, No. 4 and No. 6 picks in this year's WNBA Draft. They will have the opportunity to add plenty of bright, young talent to build around their young core of center Shakira Austin, forward Aaliyah Edwards and guard Jade Melbourne. Forward Sika Koné, a former 3rd-round selection who played for the Sky in 2023, will be under contract for Washington. The Mystics hired a former Sky assistant in Sydney Johnson to take on their head coaching duties in December.