The Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks are in deep trade discussions regarding a deal that would send Olympic gold medalist Ariel Atkins to L.A. for forward Rickea Jackson.
Terms of the deal have not been finalized, but an announcement is expected Saturday when the signing period opens.
The Sky currently have three players under contract for the 2026 season—Kamilla Cardoso, Hailey Van Lith, and Maddy Westbeld—after trading two-time All-Star Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream earlier this week for two first round draft picks. Atkins was cored by the Sky on Monday, which comes with a supermax qualifying offer but only from Chicago. If the deal is finalized, the Sparks could not sign Atkins for the supermax. Instead they would only be eligible to offer her $1.19 million or less.
Jackson was part of the loaded 2024 WNBA draft class, led by No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark. The Sky had an opportunity to take her with the No. 3 overall pick but ultimately decided on center Kamilla Cardoso. The Sparks selected Jackson with the No. 4 overall pick after taking forward Cameron Brink at No. 2.
The Sparks currently have three signed players, including Jackson, and have extended a core qualifying offer to guard Kelsey Plum, and reserved qualifying offers to Alissa Pili, Julie Vanloo, and Rae Burrell.
There was a question about fit for Jackson in Los Angeles, especially if the Sparks re-sign forward Dearica Hamby and Azurá Stevens to go with Brink.
The Sky provide an answer, slotting Jackson in at the four alongside Cardoso in the post. Meanwhile, Atkins offers the Sparks another two-way guard who can help spread defenses as a real threat from three-point range. Atkins is a 36% career three-point shooter. In 28 games for the Sky she averaged 13 points and 3.6 assists.
Jackson averaged 14.7 points and 3.2 rebounds in her second season with the Sparks.
