The WNBA offseason continues to be current roller coaster.
Sunday evening, the mystics of Washington moved Ariel Atkins. By EspnKendra Andrews and Alexa PhilippouThe double All-Star was exchanged in the sky of Chicago.
The movement signals the end of an era for mystics. Atkins was the last permanent member of the 2019 franchise 2019 championship team. Under a new leadership, Trading Atkins also says that the mystics are fully leaning into a reconstruction.
Atkins joined the sky after spending seven seasons with the team that drafted him. During her mandate, she won many honors, including the first WNBA All-Defensive team in 2022.
Trade details:
The mystics get: N ° 3 Choice in the recovery of the WNBA 2025, a choice of second round in 2027 and the exchange rights of the first round choices in 2027 with Chicago
The sky get: Guard Ariel Atkins
Grade of Washington Mystics
Admittedly, I have questioned the mystics since I have gone through thibaults and Potentially lose for paige bueckers.
Then the free agency came, and Washington was super silent. There were no splashing signatures, only a handful of reserved qualification offers and training camp contracts.
It led me to ask: What were mystics doing?
They worked in the background and no one would precipitate them.
“Our goal is to be opportunistic, innovative and strategic while we build a team. Do not move at speed for speed” ” The new managing director Jamila Wideman said.
“Thus, each movement that is possible is not necessarily a decision that is close to this kind of goal. We do not want us to rush into anything. Not wanting to rush is different from not making movements. “”
Very good, mystical. I’ll buy that. So what’s the plan? A reconstruction. However, it is not a reconstruction. This new foundation begins by * checks the notes * three draft choices in the first round. WOW.
After Atkins’ trade, the Mystics have the choice n ° 3, n ° 4 and n ° 6 of the draft this year. It is a cargo of Draft capital to do a few things. Here are some possible options:
Based on Wideman’s additional commentsThe goal seems to be to use the project assets to select the players they can develop and help grow. If so, phew, my friend, there are options.
Washington could potentially write any combination of Olivia Miles (if she slips so far), Sonia Lemon, Aneesah Morrow, Dominique Malonga or Kiki Iriafen. This group of players addresses three positions (guard, before and center) and the fact with some of the best talents of this year’s draft. It was a home situation that seemed impossible months ago.
Now there is a remaining question: Will mystics exchange Brittney Sykes too?
Sykes is a veteran goalkeeper with the most expensive salary On the list. While she was a phenomenal double -meaning player, she only appeared in 18 games last season due to persistent injuries. If the Mystics also wanted to move Sykes, a team like The New York Liberty, which needs a guard, could be interested.
Commercial grade: A
Chicago sky grade
At first glance, I was really excited at the idea thatiel Atkins joined the sky. She creates space with her off -ball movement, can warm up at any time (a bucket) and is a very good defender.
All that Chicago had to make was to give up the choice of first round of this year. It’s great. RIGHT? Of course, until I saw the rest of the profession.
Excuse me. I need a moment. I just fell on my knees into the target.
I’m not well.
Sky’s managing director, Jeff Pagliocca agreed to exchange first round choices in 2027 and gave a second round choice. Why is it important? The 2027 draft is the juju Watkins and Hannah Hidalgo draft class.
* Dramatic Gulp *
Madison Booker, Audi Crooks, Milaysia Fulwiley, Mikaylah Williams, KK Arnold and Zoe Brooks could also be in the classroom.
I am on the floor crying like a child.
Accepting this pick swap means that Chicago is in win-plus mode and probably thinks it will be in a better position than Washington by then. Although this notion is possible, if Ariel Atkins moved away in 2026, it will be a disastrous decision.
The League should have a new CBA that year, and anyone who is not on a recruit level will be a free agent. This means that Chicago would have abandoned so much capital for a year -long rental.
Don’t like. Do not pass. Do not collect $ 200.
It is a massive bet, and I am not entirely convinced that this decision will work well. Maybe Chicago knows something about the upper part of the draft that convinced them to go out. Of course, I could accept this. But potential ramifications are far too large for my taste.
Commercial grade: C-
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This article originally appeared for victory: Ariel Atkins Trade Grades: Who won the Mystic and Sky agreement?
