The Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks have agreed to a trade, sending forward Rickea Jackson to LA and guard Ariel Atkins to Chicago, per Alexa Philippou.
After spending the first 7 seasons of her WNBA career with the Washington Mystics, Ariel Atkins took her talents to the Chicago Sky for the 2025 season. She ultimately had one of her most efficient seasons in 2025. Atkins finished the 2025 season averaging 13.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. She shot a career-high 44.4 percent from the floor.
Her 2025 season was unfortunately riddled with a couple of injuries. A leg injury kept her out of seven midseason games, and her season ended early due to a back injury in mid-September. Atkins is hoping for a healthy 2026 season with the Los Angeles Sparks. She brings on-ball defense, playmaking, and efficient shooting.
Rickea Jackson has been a consistent starter during her two years in the league since being drafted fourth overall in 2024. She finished 2025 averaging 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. She shot 42.4 percent from the floor and 34.8 percent from beyond the arc.
With Los Angeles, Jackson was a threat from all levels, showing off her ability to shoot from anywhere or drive to the basket with force and efficiency. Now in Chicago, she will join the likes of Kamilla Cardoso, as well as Azurá Stevens and Skylar Diggins, who have been added during Chicago’s successful free agency.
