Negotiations are underway between the Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks for a potential player exchange involving All-Star guard Ariel Atkins and forward Rickea Jackson, according to a Thursday report from Front Office Sports.
While no deal has been completed, sources indicate an official announcement could come this Saturday if talks progress successfully.
The 29-year-old Atkins posted solid numbers during her debut season with Chicago in 2025, recording 13.1 points per game along with 3.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals across 34 contests, starting every game.
Atkins brings championship experience to any team, having won a WNBA title with Washington in 2019. Throughout her professional career spanning stints with the Mystics from 2018-24 and now Chicago, she has compiled averages of 13.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals over 251 games with 246 starts. The seventh overall selection in the 2018 draft has earned five All-Defensive team honors and maintains a solid 36.2% accuracy rate from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, Jackson put together an impressive 2025 campaign for Los Angeles, contributing 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while starting 37 of 38 appearances.
The 25-year-old forward entered the league as the fourth pick in the 2024 draft and immediately made her mark by earning All-Rookie team recognition. Her strong play continued into 2025, where she placed ninth in MVP consideration. Over her two-year professional career spanning 78 games with 72 starts, Jackson has maintained averages of 14.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
This potential move would mark Chicago’s second significant roster change this week, following Monday’s trade that sent two-time All-Star Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for two first-round draft selections.
