Chicago Sky Shake Up Roster With Trades and Free Agent Signings

The Sky make moves to improve their frontcourt and backcourt ahead of the 2026 WNBA season.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:53pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented, overlapping shapes and planes in bright colors representing the dynamic action and energy of a WNBA basketball game or match.The Chicago Sky's roster overhaul through trades and free agency aims to reshape the team's identity and return it to championship contention.Chicago Today

The Chicago Sky have been busy in the early days of WNBA free agency, making a trade to acquire guard Jacy Sheldon from the Washington Mystics and re-signing forward Azurá Stevens to a 3-year deal. The team is also reportedly in talks to trade guard Ariel Atkins to the Los Angeles Sparks for forward Rickea Jackson. These moves come after the Sky traded All-Star forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream earlier this week.

Why it matters

The Sky are looking to retool their roster after a disappointing 2025 season where they failed to make the playoffs. Acquiring young talent like Sheldon and potentially Jackson, while keeping veteran pieces like Stevens, could help the Sky get back to championship contention in the WNBA's crowded Eastern Conference.

The details

The Sky traded their 2028 first-round pick to the Mystics in exchange for Sheldon, a 5th overall pick in 2024 who has shown promise as a 3-point shooter and two-way player in her first two WNBA seasons. The team also re-signed Stevens to a 3-year contract after she spent the last three years with the Sparks, where she averaged a double-double. If the reported trade with the Sparks goes through, the Sky would acquire the versatile Jackson in exchange for Atkins, who has seen her production dip in recent seasons.

  • The WNBA's 3-day free agent negotiation window opened on April 11, 2026.
  • Any signings or trades can become official starting on April 15, 2026.

The players

Jacy Sheldon

A 5th overall draft pick in 2024 who has shown promise as a 3-point shooter and two-way player in her first two WNBA seasons.

Azurá Stevens

A former Sky player who spent the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks, where she averaged a double-double and is known for her defensive abilities.

Rickea Jackson

The 4th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, a versatile forward who can score at all three levels and is a strong 3-point shooter.

Ariel Atkins

A veteran guard who the Sky acquired in a trade last year, but has seen her production dip in recent seasons.

Angel Reese

An All-Star forward who the Sky traded to the Atlanta Dream earlier this week.

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What they’re saying

“Jacy made an impression on us with her toughness, competitiveness and ability to compete on both ends of the court. She has proven to be a great young player who can shoot the ball and defend in this league. Jacy fits what we are looking for seamlessly.”

— Jeff Pagliocca, General Manager, Chicago Sky

“I'm truly excited to be coming home to join the Chicago Sky. This city means everything to me. The culture, the people, the passion for the game. To have the opportunity to come back to Chicago is amazing. I'm ready to get to work, embrace the moment, and give everything I have.”

— Azurá Stevens, Forward, Chicago Sky

What’s next

The Sky could finalize a trade with the Los Angeles Sparks to acquire Rickea Jackson in exchange for Ariel Atkins on Saturday, April 15th, the first day of the WNBA free agent signing period.

The takeaway

The Sky are making bold moves to retool their roster through trades and free agency, showing a commitment to improving their team and returning to championship contention after a disappointing 2025 season. The additions of young talent like Sheldon and potentially Jackson, combined with the return of veteran Stevens, could give the Sky a strong foundation to build around heading into the 2026 WNBA season.