The Washington Mystics have made a significant trade, sending two-time All-Star guard Ariel Atkins to the Chicago Sky. In exchange, they received the No. 3 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, a first-round pick swap for 2027, and Chicago’s second-round pick in 2027.
Atkins has had a strong career. She was part of the Mystics’ 2019 championship team and participated in the 2020 Olympics. Throughout her career, she has averaged 13.4 points and 3.0 rebounds per game.
This trade marks the beginning of a rebuilding phase for the Mystics. They recently let go of both general manager Mike Thibault and coach Eric Thibault. The team fell short of making the playoffs in 2024 and hasn’t won a postseason game since their title run in 2019. With new faces like coach Sydney Johnson and general manager Jamila Wideman, the Mystics are looking to turn things around.
On the other side, the Sky are hoping to bounce back after also missing the playoffs in 2024. They have revamped their roster by adding players like Courtney Vandersloot, Kia Nurse, and Rebecca Allen. This new lineup aims to complement their strong second-year talents, Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, as they strive for a successful season in 2025.
