LA Sparks discussing trade to send Rickea Jackson to Chicago Sky
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 may send Rickea Jackson to Chicago for Ariel Atkins. The deal is just not performed, nevertheless it seems to be fairly far alongside.
On the floor, this can be a little bit of a head-scratcher for the Sparks. Jackson is coming off a sophomore season through 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, though it got here on worse capturing from the sector.
However, from July 5 to the top 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 yr 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 group traded a number of firsts, together with the No. 3 total decide, for her.
It will surely be shopping for low on Atkins, who was an All-Defense guard for his first 5 seasons within the league and a two-time All-Star in 2021 and 2022. In a vacuum, there might be some logic there, particularly contemplating how huge a large number the scenario was in Chicago final season.
However, it will not be promoting excessive on Jackson, who continues to be simply 24 years outdated and one of many brilliant younger stars for the franchise. Brought in alongside Cameron Brink, Jackson has been one of many positives over the past two seasons for LA.
There’s an argument that Atkins might be a greater match for the Sparks than Jackson. LA completed center of the pack final yr in 3-point capturing and Atkins may assist reinforce that. Jackson is just not a pure 3-point shooter, though he nonetheless shot above common from vary final season at 34.8%.
But you actually have to stretch some to get a way of how this arguments is an efficient deal for the Sparks.
With the deal nonetheless in discussions, maybe a 3rd group will get looped in or there may be extra coming again to Los Angeles within the deal as a result of a straight participant swap could be an fascinating begin to the offseason.
