The Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks are nearing a trade that would send Ariel Atkins to L.A. in exchange for Rickea Jackson, with an announcement expected Saturday. This comes after the Sky traded Angel Reese, leaving them with three players under contract for the 2026 season. Atkins, a gold medalist, has been cored by the Sky which limits the Sparks' signing options to a maximum of $1.19 million. Jackson, a promising prospect from the recent draft, was selected by the Sparks at No. 4 overall after the Sky opted for center Kamilla Cardoso at No. 3. Both players, if traded, would provide valuable contributions to their new teams.

By the Numbers
  • Ariel Atkins averaged 13 points and 3.6 assists over 28 games with the Sky.
  • Rickea Jackson averaged 14.7 points and 3.2 rebounds in her second season with the Sparks.
State of Play
  • The Sky have three players signed for 2026: Kamilla Cardoso, Hailey Van Lith, and Maddy Westbeld.
  • The Sparks have extended core qualifying offers to guard Kelsey Plum and reserved offers to Alissa Pili, Julie Vanloo, and Rae Burrell.
What's Next

If the trade is finalized, the Sparks will need to integrate Atkins into their lineup, which could enhance their offensive capabilities, while the Sky will look to leverage Jackson's potential alongside Cardoso.

Bottom Line

This trade represents a significant shift in team compositions within the WNBA, impacting both the Sky's future and the Sparks' strategy heading into the new signing period.