Mystics Trade 2-time All-star Ariel Atkins To The Sky For No. 3 Pick In Wnba Draft

The Washington Mystics accelerated their rebuild, trading two-time All-Star Ariel Atkins to the Chicago Sky for the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft on Sunday.

Washington also received Chicago's second-round pick in 2027 and the rights to swap first-rounders that year.

"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," general manager Jamila Wideman said in a statement. "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."

Atkins helped Washington make the playoffs five times in seven seasons since the team drafted her seventh overall in 2018. She won a WNBA title with the Mystics in 2019 and was the lone remaining player from that team on Washington's roster.

Atkins also won an Olympic gold medal with the United States in 2021.