On Sunday, the Washington Mystics traded Ariel Atkins to the Chicago Sky, acquiring the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and the option to swap first-round picks in 2027. Atkins, a multi-time All-Star and member of the 2019 championship team, significantly impacted the team during her seven seasons. Mystics General Manager Jamila Wideman highlighted the difficult nature of this decision while emphasizing the team's commitment to building a sustainable, competitive program. The trade positions the Mystics to select young talent and shape their future strategy.
We are building a program to sustain a period of contention during the next era of Mystics Basketball. Our ambitious return to prolonged excellence requires time, intention, and difficult decisions.
Trading Ariel, a champion and celebrated Mystic, is one of those difficult decisions. In exchange, we are afforded another opportunity to select a young impact player at the top of the draft who can be part of our aspirational future.
Ariel has had an extraordinary impact on the Washington Mystics. Some achievements are visible such as winning the 2019 Championship, Gold with Team USA, an All-Star, and earning All-Defensive Team honors.
She is a remarkable professional and leader. She is a respected and generous teammate who reached toward and was embraced by Mystics fans and the DMV community.
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