Out with the old, in with the new: Sky trade Ariel Atkins for Rickea Jackson — and begin again
By Alissa Hirsh
Published on April 12, 2026.
The Sky has traded Ariel Atkins for Rickea Jackson, a two-time All-Star and an elite defender, to create a new team. Jackson, who averaged 14.7 points per game for the Sparks last season, joins Skylar Diggs, Azura Stevens, and DiJonai Carrington as potential playoff-caliber players. The last time the Sky made the playoffs was in 2023, when then-general manager James Wade put together a competitive roster. However, within a year and a half, all of their core players were gone. The Sky began rebuilding in 2024 and 2025, with Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese being considered the future of the franchise.
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