The Chicago Sky are on the verge of their second blockbuster trade of the week.
Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports reported Chicago is negotiating a deal to send guard Ariel Atkins to the Los Angeles Sparks for forward Rickea Jackson.
On Monday, the Sky announced they traded Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream for a pair of first-round picks. The move went over like a lead balloon and was cited as another worrying example of the franchise losing a homegrown star.
Turning Atkins, a free agent who received the core designation, into Jackson would be viewed much differently.
Jackson averaged 14.7 points on 42.4 percent shooting in her second year with the Sparks. Her efficiency still left something to be desired as she was a 34.8 percent three-point shooter on 4.9 attempts per game, but her offensive potential is obvious.
Atkins, meanwhile is a two-time All-Star and five-time All-Defensive honoree who played an important role in the Washington Mystics’ 2019 championship. Washington’s extended slide toward the end of her tenure and the Sky’s 10-34 record raise some questions over how much she individually impacts games, though.
Even if the Sparks get the No. 5 overall pick from Chicago as part of this deal, the Sky would look like an early winner. It’s something that hasn’t often been true in trades involving that team.
Jackson would serve as a great focal point as the Sky once again start over and rebuild. Should they make some noise in free agency and get immediate upgrades, she’d be equally suited to handle a big scoring load.
This wouldn’t totally cancel out the effects of the Reese trade, but it might help to reassure the fanbase the front office does have an actual plan for how to shape the roster this offseason.