The Chicago Sky have made a potentially history-altering move.

The WNBA team traded their No.3 pick in this year’s draft for the Washington Mystics’ Ariel Atkins in a move that dramatically changes the fortunes of both franchises.

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Ariel Atkins is joining the Chicago SkyCredit: GETTY
Along with the third pick, the Mystics also received the rights to swap 2027 first-round picks with Chicago as well as the Sky‘s 2027 second-round pick.

It a huge deal that signs off on a new era in Washington as they begin a rebuild after missing the playoffs and firing their general manager Mike Thibault and coach Eric Thibault.

There is also no better way to revamp the roster than the treasure chest of picks they just received from the Sky.

It was a feeling echoed by new Mystics general manager Jamila Wideman who spoke to ESPN, saying, “The deal in many ways is a clear reflection of our commitment to build toward a new era.

“We felt like this year and this year’s draft was a tool we could use to do that.”

For Chicago, the addition of Atkins and giving up the chance to draft a future star demonstrates a commitment to win now, not later as other rivals like Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever boost their rosters.

The Sky now add Atkins to their list of other offseason recruits including Courtney Vandersloot, Kia Nurse and Rebecca Allen – instantly revamping their roster with experience to assist young stars like Angel Reese and Kamila Cardoso.

Chicago Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca has already released a statement on the trade.

“Ariel has made a tremendous impact on this league since her rookie year,” Pagliocca.

“She is an excellent role model for her teammates and an all-star caliber contributor. As one of the league’s top defensive specialists and a consistent scorer, she is a threat on both ends of the floor who will help us build a playoff-contending team in Chicago.”

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Angel Reese took to social media to react to the newsCredit: GETTY

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Angel Reese has already expressed her delight at Atkins’ arrivalCredit: @Reese10Angel

When you a trade draft pick as high as three, it represents a gamble but it seems to have gone down well in Chicago as franchise superstar Reese has already taken to social media about the news.

After retweeting the announcement, Reese posted: “geaux skyyyy.”

The 22-year-old then posted a video of her dancing with the caption: “Walked in Unrivaled with no teammates & now I’m walking out with 2 #skytown,” giving her approval of the deal.

It is no shock that Reese is delighted with the deal, Atkins is championship caliber, winning a ring in 2019 as she helped deliver Washington’s first and only WNBA title.

Atkins has averaged 13.4 points (including 36% shooting from 3) and 3.0 rebounds for her career and boasts five All-Defensive team nods

The Sky have been desperate for a guard all off-season and Atkins fills the gap, along with strong defensive skills she is also an efficient scorer having made 47.5% of her career 2-point attempts.

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The 28-year-old is entering the final year of her contract as a new collective bargaining agreement with anticipated salary bumps is expected in 2026.

Under current CBA rules, she would be eligible to be a core player for Chicago after this season.

It seems a run to the playoffs awaits Chicago this year and with the Indiana Fever widely now regarded as having the best roster in the league

The trade looks set to put Fever and Sky on a collision course at the top of the championship this season.