With a trade between the Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks confirmed, the painful nightmare is finally over for Ariel Atkins. After her career stalled in Chicago, through no fault of her own, the talented guard has finally landed with a franchise that will allow her to focus on the defensive attributes that make her truly great.
Questions were raised when the Sky sanctioned a for Ariel Atkins from the Washington Mystics. Not because she is not capable of adding quality to a roster, but because they gave up the third overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft to do so -- a selection that was transformed into Sonia Citron. With hindsight, this is a move that Chicago would undoubtedly take back as the franchise plummeted to a 10-34 record.
During her time with Chicago, Atkins was shoehorned into a role that saw her dictate the offense. Being a ball-facilitator is not an area that elevated the 29-year-old into two All-Star appearances. Despite being one of the Sky's more prominent playmakers, Atkins only chalked up 3.6 assists per game, while also averaging a career-high 2.5 turnovers in each contest. Now, Atkins will be hoping to turn over a new leaf on the sunny shores of Los Angeles.
Atkins can focus her energy on defense
The Sparks will be a fantastic fit and completely change the landscape for what is expected of Ariel Atkins. With Kelsey Plum taking on a more prominent ball-handling role than she had with the Las Vegas Aces, Atkins can slot into the lineup with a focus on locking down opponents and serving as a defensive stalwart for her team.
Defense is an under-appreciated aspect of basketball. If two teams take part in a low-scoring contest, the offenses are often criticised for poor performances rather than the sides being praised for their defensive efforts. In the same breath, if a player does not contribute the same numbers that a high-volume scorer does, they are not deemed integral to a roster. Ariel Atkins is the perfect example of this player.
Even so, Atkins has demonstrated just how valuable her qualities are to a team. The veteran became the first player in WNBA history to earn All-Defensive honours in each of her first five seasons in the league. Atkins has a career average of 1.5 steals per game, but has consistently been a thorn in the side of the opposition's attacking options.
With Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby, and Nneka Ogwumike on the roster, Ariel Atkins and Cameron Brink can establish a resilient defensive anchor at the heart of the LA Sparks' defense. In a less prominent offensive role, Atkins can rediscover her finest form and ignite her team's postseason ambitions.
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