Chicago Sky’s big offseason move makes perfect sense now..

In February, the Chicago Sky made a bold move by trading their No. 3 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft for Washington Mystics star Ariel Atkins. While some questioned the trade given that Atkins, a two-time All-Star, has only one year left on her contract and isn’t a superstar it now appears more strategic than initially thought. Many believed Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles, a projected No. 3 pick, would have been a perfect complement to Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso with her playmaking and elite three-point shooting. However, Miles recently surprised everyone by entering the transfer portal instead of declaring for the WNBA Draft, delaying her pro career. She’s not alone UConn guard Azzi Fudd also chose to return to college rather than enter the 2025 draft.

Although there are still intriguing options at No. 3, such as French center Dominique Malonga and USC forward Kiki Iriafen, the Sky already have a stacked frontcourt with Reese and Cardoso. Malonga, at 6’6, is an exciting prospect, but she would be a better fit on a team in need of size. Similarly, Iriafen would be redundant in Chicago’s roster, which is already built around two young post players.

While the 2025 draft still has plenty of talent, the Sky also hold the No. 10 pick, where they can target an impact guard. Potential late-first-round options include TCU’s Hailey Van Lith, Kentucky’s Georgia Amoore, and Maryland’s Shyanne Sellers. Notre Dame’s Sonia Citron could also be a possibility, though she’s more likely to be selected earlier in the round.

Ultimately, there was no clear No. 3 pick who would have been a better fit for Chicago than Atkins. The 28-year-old veteran, who averaged 14.9 points last season and has a career 36.2% shooting mark from three, will pair with Courtney Vandersloot to create a dynamic backcourt. Their presence should help open up the floor for Reese and Cardoso in the paint. While only time will reveal how other WNBA lottery picks develop, the Sky’s decision to trade their pick looks far more justified now that Miles is staying in college.