The Chicago Sky are taking their first concrete steps into a new era after trading Angel Reese.
According to Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports, the Sky are locked in discussions with the Los Angeles Sparks over a one-for-one deal that would see Chicago land forward Rickea Jackson in exchange for guard Ariel Atkins.
MORE: Angel Reese reportedly branded as Sky ‘enemy’ following blockbuster Dream trade
Atkins, acquired last year from the Washington Mystics for the third overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, was extended a Core qualifying offer this week and can re-sign with the Sky on a maximum salary.
But Chicago’s competitive timeline was reset once again this week when the Sky dealt Reese to the Atlanta Dream for two first-round picks, and Atkins — a two-time All-Star and a defensive stalwart — would join a more playoff-ready squad in Los Angeles.
The Chicago Sky and LA Sparks are in discussions re: a trade that would send Ariel Atkins to the Sparks for Rickea Jackson, multiple sources told me.
While nothing is finalized, an announcement is expected Saturday.
— Annie Costabile (@AnnieCostabile) April 9, 2026
Jackson, the fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft, is set to become the Sky’s No.1 option on offense. It would correspond with increased usage that could see her blossom into the All-Star her talent has suggested she could become.
Jackson received MVP votes in 2025 after a second-half surge saw her finish the year with a 14.7 points per game average. She remains a work-in-progress defensively, but Jackson is a pure bucket-getter who easily could average 18-20 points per game with heavier usage.
If the Sky have identified Jackson as a potential franchise player and work to put more quality around her in the next few years, Chicago could return to the top of the Eastern Conference, somewhere the Sky have not been since 2022.
That would reignite the Sky’s flagging rivalry with Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Those showdowns may be less intense this season with Reese moving to Atlanta.
More WNBA news: