The Washington Mystics have made a significant move, trading two-time WNBA All-Star Ariel Atkins to the Chicago Sky in exchange for the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft. In addition, Washington is acquiring swap rights for Chicago’s 2027 first-round pick and Chicago’s second-round pick.

Atkins, 29, was the last remaining member of the Mystics’ 2019 championship roster. Mystics first-year general manager Jamila Wideman described the trade as a “really difficult decision” for the franchise. However, it was a move Washington deemed worthwhile for what it could mean for its future.

The opportunity that was presented in front of us was to really enable us to select talent at the top of the upcoming draft, and enhance our draft potential in the years to come. For us, that was an investment in our future. And given that our path is to build a program to sustain a period of contention as a part of this next era of Mystics basketball, getting those opportunities to bring in that youth and that talent, this year and looking forward, was just something that we couldn’t pass up.

— Jamila Wideman, Mystics General Manager

Washington now holds the No. 3, No. 4, and No. 6 picks in the 2025 WNBA draft. This strategic move positions the Mystics to acquire top talent and build a strong foundation for future success.

Wideman highlighted that the trade offer was “presented to” the Mystics and represented a “really unique opportunity.” Acquiring the third pick allows Washington to potentially secure a franchise centerpiece. Dominique Malonga, a 19-year-old French center, could be available at No. 3, and there are several guards who could offset the loss of Atkins. Atkins, a 2020 Olympian with Team USA, averaged just under 15 points per game for Washington in 2024. She made five All-Defensive team appearances after being selected No. 7 in the 2018 WNBA Draft by the Mystics.

For the Chicago Sky, this trade comes after a challenging season where they lost five consecutive games to finish 10th in the standings last season. It was Chicago’s first time missing the playoffs since 2018. The Sky have been retooling their roster this winter, and Atkins will pair with veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot, who signed with the Sky in free agency. This backcourt will look to bring the most out of its second-year bigs, Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. Veteran wings Kia Nurse and Rebecca Allen are also new additions, as Chicago looks to return to the playoffs under first-year coach Tyler Marsh.

Ariel has made a tremendous impact on this league since her rookie year. 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.

— Jeff Pagliocca, Sky General Manager

The decision to swap Atkins for draft picks carries potentially significant risk. Atkins, Vandersloot, Nurse, and Allen are set to become free agents after this season. Having each under contract in 2025 could help convince them to stay long-term, but it’s also possible all four will not be with the franchise a year from now.

Swap rights for Chicago’s 2027 first-round pick could also pay significant dividends in two years for Washington. That draft is expected to be one of the best in recent memory with USC’s JuJu Watkins, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, and Texas’ Madison Booker as three of the projected headliners.

By that point, it’s likely that rosters across the WNBA will look drastically different. Almost every veteran player in the WNBA is set to hit free agency next offseason. Yet the Mystics should have more continuity than most other franchises in 2026 with a roster full of players on rookie contracts.

Atkins’ departure continues a reshaping of the Mystics. Earlier this offseason, the franchise parted ways with longtime general manager Mike Thibault and coach Eric Thibault after a 14-26 season. In December, Washington hired Wideman and coach Sydney Johnson, both of who are holding their respective roles for the first time in the WNBA.

The decision to move Atkins marks the first significant roster decision in this new era. In forward Aaliyah Edwards and center Shakira Austin, Washington has two other young franchise cornerstones on its roster. Forward Sika Koné and guard Jade Melbourne are both 22 and have high potential as well.

What the deal means for the future of 31-year-old guard Brittney Sykes remains an open question. However, Wideman recognizes the value of rostering some players with more experience.

We’re not looking past the value of veteran leadership. We’re not looking past the value of players that are able to complement anybody and who can shape-shift and I think we’re really interested in players who are simply going to compete.

— Jamila Wideman, Mystics General Manager

That being said, Washington also sees the value in acquiring draft assets that will help build a strong foundation into the future.

We are trying to move very intentionally and I think our next few years are going to be about drafting and developing and nurturing and competing. We aspire to contend year-over-year, and I think we also just aspire to build an organization that has impact.

— Jamila Wideman, Mystics General Manager