The Chicago Sky are taking a bold gamble—one that could define their future. In a move that screams “win now,” they’ve traded away the No. 3 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft for two-time WNBA Champion. But while the front office sees a proven veteran, many fans see a missed opportunity. Because the player they’re giving up a shot at is none other than Notre Dame’s Sonia Citron.

According to a post on X by Underdog WNBA, the updated trade summary reads, “Sky get – Ariel Atkins Mystics get – 2025 No. 3 pick, 2027 first-round pick swap, 2027 second-round pick.”

The Chicago Sky, led by Angel Reese, have been in the process of a rebuild, aiming to construct a playoff-contending team around their young core. Acquiring Atkins, a defensive stalwart and reliable scorer, signals an intent to compete immediately.

General manager Jeff Pagliocca backed the move, stating, “Ariel has made a tremendous impact on this league since her rookie year. She is an excellent role model for her teammates and an all-star caliber contributor. As one of the league’s top defensive specialists and a consistent scorer, she is a threat on both ends of the floor who will help us build a playoff-contending team in Chicago.”

Atkins brings championship pedigree, having won a WNBA title with the Mystics in 2019 and an Olympic gold medal in 2020. A career 36% shooter from three-point range, she fills a major need for a Sky team that struggled from deep last season. With a revamped backcourt that includes Reese, Vandersloot, and Atkins Chicago is clearly pushing for immediate success. However, many fans believe the price they paid was too steep.

Fan frustration boils over the Sky’s recent moves

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The reaction to the trade has been swift and unforgiving. One fan summed up the discontent bluntly: “The management of the Chicago Sky is officially dreadful. Letting your lead scorer go for free and trading the #3 pick for a 1-year rental former all-star guard that’s more expensive than the one you let go? It makes ZERO sense.”

For Sky fans, this trade isn’t just a gamble—it’s a gut punch. Sonia Citron wasn’t just a top prospect; she was the one, a do-it-all guard who could’ve reshaped Chicago’s backcourt for years. Alongside Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles, she’s been tearing it up at Notre Dame, forming the lethal “Pick Your Poison” trio. And here’s the kicker—Angel Reese recently spilled on Unapologetically Angel that the Sky were also eyeing Miles with their pick. Now? That dream is dead. Instead, Chicago is rolling the dice on Ariel Atkins, a veteran on an expiring deal. If she bounces in free agency next year, the Sky will have essentially burned a No. 3 pick for a one-year rental. That’s not bold—it’s reckless.

Fans aren’t just mad—they’re livid. One summed it up bluntly: “The Chicago Sky got absolutely FLEECED. My god.” And honestly? It’s hard to argue. Chicago didn’t just give up the No. 3 pick in 2025—they also threw in a 2027 first-round swap, a second-rounder, and even more draft capital for a player who might not even be around after next season. With the WNBA’s looming CBA changes set to shake up contracts and free agency, this move feels less like a masterstroke and more like a desperate gamble. Yes, Ariel Atkins is solid (14.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.5 SPG), but is she worth all that?

Even non-Sky fans are scratching their heads. “Not seeing Sonia Citron as a building block needs to be explained, and I’m not even a Chicago Sky fan,” one fan remarked. And they’re not wrong. Citron’s all-around game—her scoring, defense, and versatility—made her a prime target for a rebuilding team. Passing on her has left many questioning the front office’s vision. With Citron putting up 13.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.8 APG on 48.2% shooting in 2025 and making the Cheryl Miller Award Top 10, the real question is: What exactly was Chicago thinking?

“Are the Chicago Sky tryna crash out like Connecticut!?“ one fan joked, and the comparison isn’t far off. The Sun’s aggressive moves led to a total roster overhaul, losing all five starters from their semifinal run. Alyssa Thomas, DiJonai Carrington, and Ty Harris were traded, while DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones left in free agency. In return, Connecticut brought in Tina Charles, Natasha Cloud, Diamond DeShields, Jacy Sheldon, and Lindsay Allen, while also hiring former Belgian national team coach Rachid Meziane to replace Stephanie White. Sky fans fear Chicago is heading down the same risky path.

And for some, the frustration boiled over into outright disdain: “I hate the Chicago Sky.”

While hyperbolic, this sentiment reflects a deep disappointment among the fanbase. Chicago had positioned itself with a prime draft pick, yet opted to part with it for an expiring contract. The frustration is not just about losing Citron—it’s about what this move signals for the franchise’s long-term direction.

Atkins is undeniably a talented player. She averaged 14.9 points last season, set a career-high with 36 points in a single game, and remains one of the WNBA’s most consistent two-way players. She ranks second in Mystics history for steals (313) and has been named to five All-Defensive Teams.

However, she comes at a high price. Entering the final year of a $400,000 contract, Atkins’ future with the Sky beyond 2025 is uncertain. If she leaves in free agency, Chicago will have sacrificed a valuable draft asset for a one-season rental.

The Sky’s gamble could pay off if Atkins thrives in Chicago and re-signs for the long haul. But if she walks, or if the team fails to contend, this trade could be remembered as a costly mistake—one that not only sacrificed a top pick but also shut the door on Sonia Citron, a player who could have been a key piece of Chicago’s future.

In basketball, sometimes the right shot falls. Other times, it rims out. For the Sky, only time will tell if this move was a game-winner—or a turnover in crunch time.