The Chicago Sky completed their second blockbuster trade this week.
The team announced it acquired forward Rickea Jackson from the Los Angeles Sparks for guard Ariel Atkins.
Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports first reported the trade was being negotiated on Thursday.
This continues a flurry of moves for the organization.
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.
The fanbase at least had more to celebrate Saturday as the Sky confirmed the additions of Azurá Stevens and Skylar Diggins. Elizabeth Williams and Rachel Banham have re-signed as well, with Jacy Sheldon coming in via a trade with the Washington Mystics.
Turning Atkins, a free agent who received the core designation, into Jackson is arguably Chicago’s best piece of business yet.
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.
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.
