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  "path": "/chicago-sky/2026/04/09/sky-reportedly-in-talks-to-trade-ariel-atkins-for-rickea-jackson",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-09T17:52:41.733Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>The first bit of intrigue in the post-Angel Reese era has arrived.</p><p>The <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Sky</u></a> are in talks with the Sparks on a trade that would send Ariel Atkins to Los Angeles for guard Rickea Jackson, according to Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports.</p><p>If the report holds, the Sky would add another young building block to a team that sorely needs scoring and star potential. But they would lose a proven, two-time All-Star, and potentially more, depending on how the deal shakes out.</p><p>Start with the good news. Jackson, 25, is a dynamic up-and-coming scorer. She averaged 14.7 points per game for the Sparks last season and has the versatility to guard multiple positions.</p><p>Atkins was the Sky's best guard a year ago — and is the better defender — but she struggled to adapt to life as a primary scorer. At 29, she's also on a different timeline than Kamilla Cardoso, the Sky's best piece right now. Jackson might fit better.</p><p>The Sky did not immediately respond to a request for comment, though a source familiar with the team's thinking previously told the Sun-Times they're open to moving Atkins. The Sky designated her as a <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/07/sky-extend-core-qualifying-offer-to-guard-ariel-atkins\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>core player this week</u></a>, which would allow them to execute a sign-and-trade.</p><p>It's still unclear whether Atkins wants to return or wants out — toward the end of a tumultuous 10-34 season, she told the Sun-Times she was undecided.</p><p>If the Sky are able to land Jackson in return, though, they may have something brewing.</p><p>A healthy Courtney Vandersloot running the show, an ascending Jackson and a breakout Cardoso might be fun to watch. Throw a star free agent into the mix and it's not a bad vision.</p><p>Then again, there are still plenty of ways this trade gets complicated. If the Sky have to include their No. 5 pick in the 2026 draft, the value proposition gets a lot murkier.</p><p>Consider that acquiring Atkins already cost the Sky the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft — which became Sonia Citron — plus a pick swap in 2027.</p><p>So here's how the final ledger would shake out:</p><p>The Sky get Jackson, who has another year left on her rookie contract, plus a team option for 2027.</p><p>But they could have had: the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft (Sonia Citron), the No. 5 pick in the 2026 draft (Kiki Rice and Flau'jae Johnson are possibilities), and — if they struggle again this year — a potential lottery pick in 2027, the draft class of Juju Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo and Madison Booker.</p><p>Worth noting: the Sky could have drafted Jackson themselves. In 2024, they selected Cardoso with the No. 3 pick. The Sparks took Jackson one spot later at No. 4.</p><p>However the deal shakes out, the Sky still need to add another star to be competitive in the post-Reese era. Even if Cardoso takes another leap, the only other players currently under contract are Hailey Van Lith and Maddy Westbeld. The team extended a qualifying offer to point guard Sevgi Uzun and expects Vandersloot to return.</p><p>That won't be enough. And the team knows it.</p><p>They’re planning to take big swings in free agency, according to a source, but it’s unclear what would attract a star to Chicago. The team is coming off two dismal seasons and still faces public criticism from players about its facilities.</p><p>There is a path forward: a new practice facility in Bedford Park is set to open this season, and coach Tyler Marsh is building a reputation as both a tactician and a relationship builder. But for now, it’s still more promise than proof.</p><p>Players can begin signing deals Saturday and training camp opens April 19. The draft falls in between, on April 13.</p><p></p><p></p><bsp-list-loadmore class=\"PageListH\" data-module data-hide-authors=\"true\" data-hide-categories=\"true\" data-hide-dates=\"true\" data-show-loadmore=\"true\" ><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"list-010001\" name=\"list-010001\"></a><div class=\"PageList-header\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title-wrap\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title\"> Latest on the Sky and WNBA </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items\" data-with-borders data-list-loadmore-items> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"The bright side of the Angel Reese trade still looks dim\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/07/the-bright-side-of-the-angel-reese-trade-still-looks-dim\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a518c1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4698x3145+0+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F84%2F18%2F985910ab4623b092226c8220ad7a%2Freese-shooting.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/cff4a67/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4698x3145+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F84%2F18%2F985910ab4623b092226c8220ad7a%2Freese-shooting.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"AT&T WNBA All-Star Game 2025\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/cff4a67/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4698x3145+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F84%2F18%2F985910ab4623b092226c8220ad7a%2Freese-shooting.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky\" >Sky</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/07/the-bright-side-of-the-angel-reese-trade-still-looks-dim\" >The bright side of the Angel Reese trade still looks dim</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">With Reese shipped off to the Dream, the Sky can target a “stretch” big in free agency. The problem is they don’t have a compelling pitch for why the best ones should join them.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1775603670000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/alissa-hirsh\" >Alissa Hirsh </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"572\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Sky extend core qualifying offer to guard Ariel Atkins\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/07/sky-extend-core-qualifying-offer-to-guard-ariel-atkins\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/144141d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2764x1850+0+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F13%2F99%2F23d4d11340a084e061f0a938cb07%2Fatkins-driving.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45bbdf9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2764x1850+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F13%2F99%2F23d4d11340a084e061f0a938cb07%2Fatkins-driving.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Las Vegas Aces v Chicago Sky\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45bbdf9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2764x1850+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F13%2F99%2F23d4d11340a084e061f0a938cb07%2Fatkins-driving.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky\" >Sky</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/04/07/sky-extend-core-qualifying-offer-to-guard-ariel-atkins\" >Sky extend core qualifying offer to guard Ariel Atkins</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">A core qualifying offer is a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth the supermax, which is reported to be $1.4 million in the new collective-bargaining agreement.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1775582529000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/alissa-hirsh\" >Alissa Hirsh </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"312\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Angel Reese is gone, the Bulls are starting over and another Cubs pitcher is hurt? Been one heck of a day\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2026/04/06/angel-reese-traded-sky-dream-wnba-bulls-arturas-karnisovas-marc-eversley-cubs-matthew-boyd\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/afbcb42/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3936x2635+0+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F7e%2Fad%2F042fe80141d0ba14466e02b8b6cd%2Fap25201082893086.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0eb3f60/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3936x2635+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F7e%2Fad%2F042fe80141d0ba14466e02b8b6cd%2Fap25201082893086.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"The Sky's Angel Reese, left, shoots against Washington Mystics' Kiki Iriafen during the second half of the WNBA All-Star Game, Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. \" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0eb3f60/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3936x2635+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F7e%2Fad%2F042fe80141d0ba14466e02b8b6cd%2Fap25201082893086.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists\" >Columnists</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2026/04/06/angel-reese-traded-sky-dream-wnba-bulls-arturas-karnisovas-marc-eversley-cubs-matthew-boyd\" >Angel Reese is gone, the Bulls are starting over and another Cubs pitcher is hurt? Been one heck of a day</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">Holy sports meltdown, Chicago.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1775512719000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/steve-greenberg\" >Steve Greenberg </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"665\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageList-footer\"> </div> </bsp-list-loadmore><p></p>",
  "title": "Sky reportedly in talks to trade Ariel Atkins for Rickea Jackson",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-09T18:47:11.636Z"
}