The Sparks could also be making a giant change, and a giant threat, after a long-awaited offseason.
According to Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports, LA is reportedly discussing a trade with the Sky that will send Rickea Jackson to Chicago for Ariel Atkins. The deal isn’t carried out, nevertheless it seems to be fairly far alongside.
On the floor, it is a little bit of a head-scratcher for the Sparks. Jackson is coming off a sophomore season by which she began gradual before really finding her groove later in the season. She ended up averaging 14.7 factors per sport, an enchancment from her rookie marketing campaign, although it got here on worse capturing from the sector.
However, from July 5 to the tip of the season, a span of 25 video games, Jackson averaged
On the flip facet, Ariel Atkins struggled all through the season for the Sky. While she completed the 12 months averaging proper at her profession marks in scoring (13.1 factors per sport), rebounding (3.4) and 3-point capturing (36.1%), she got here into Chicago with excessive expectations after the crew traded a number of firsts, together with the No. 3 total decide, for her.
It would definitely be shopping for low on Atkins, who was an All-Defense guard for her first 5 seasons within the league and a two-time All-Star in 2021 and 2022. In a vacuum, there may very well be some logic there, particularly contemplating how massive a multitude the scenario was in Chicago final season.
However, it might not be promoting excessive on Jackson, who continues to be simply 24 years outdated and one of many shiny younger stars for the franchise. Brought in alongside Cameron Brink, Jackson has been one of many positives during the last two season for LA.
There’s an argument that Atkins may very well be a greater match for the Sparks than Jackson. LA completed center of the pack final 12 months in 3-point capturing and Atkins might assist bolster that. Jackson isn’t a pure 3-point shooter, although she nonetheless shot above common from vary final season at 34.8%.
But you actually have to stretch some arguments to get a way of how it is a whole lot for the Sparks.
With the deal nonetheless in discussions, maybe a 3rd crew will get looped in or there’s extra coming again to Los Angeles within the deal as a result of a straight participant swap can be an fascinating begin to the offseason.
