The Washington Mystics are trading two-time WNBA All-Star Ariel Atkins to the Chicago Sky in exchange for the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft, the team announced on Sunday.
Washington also receives swap rights for Chicago’s 2027 first-round pick and acquires its second-round pick. ESPN first reported the news.
A 2019 WNBA champion with the Mystics and 2020 Olympian, Atkins averaged just under 15 points per game for Washington in 2024 when the Mystics just missed a playoff appearance. Chicago is receiving experience to bolster its roster during a critical time of rebuild. Atkins adds to a team that includes incoming second-year star Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, and Chicago added the likes of Kia Nurse and veteran Courtney Vandersloot.
“We are building a program to sustain a period of contention during the next era of Mystics Basketball. Our ambitious return to prolonged excellence requires time, intention, and difficult decisions,” general manager Jamila Wideman said in a statement Sunday. “Trading Ariel, a champion and celebrated Mystic, is one of those difficult decisions. In exchange, we are afforded another opportunity to select a young impact player at the top of the draft who can be part of our aspirational future.”
In contention for a playoff spot until the conclusion of the regular season, the Sky lost five consecutive games to finish 10th in the standings last season.
Atkins’ departure from Washington is the continuation of a rebuild in the nation’s capital. Washington parted ways with general manager Mike Thibault and coach Eric Thibault earlier this offseason following a 14-26 season, and introduced new coach Sydney Johnson and GM Jamila Wideman earlier in February. Receiving draft capital is a top choice for Washington to begin its climb back up the standings, and the move not only helps for this season but also in a couple of years.
This story will be updated.
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