Why Sky traded for Rickea Jackson to replace Angel Reese

TL;DR

The Chicago Sky traded Ariel Atkins to acquire Rickea Jackson, replacing Angel Reese who was recently traded to the Atlanta Dream. This move aims to strengthen the Sky's frontcourt following Reese's departure.

Why Sky traded for Rickea Jackson to replace Angel Reese originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Chicago Sky didn't want to leave a void in their frontcourt. It just turns out they didn't want to fill it with Angel Reese.

A rumored trade has now gone through -- it's Rickea Jackson coming to Chicago in exchange for Ariel Atkins.

Reese had been traded last week to the Atlanta Dream, leaving the Sky an opening at power forward.

Jackson is set to fill it.

Why did Sky trade for Rickea Jackson to replace Angel Reese?

The Sky wanted a different look at their power forward to what Reese could provide.

They traded Reese for draft picks that could have future value.

In acquiring Jackson, they get a 6-foot-2 floor spacer.

Jackson shoots 3-pointers at a volume Reese didn't approach, and she makes them at 34.7%.

She's a quality player across the board, averaging 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.4 blocks per game in 2025 as she finished ninth in WNBA MVP voting.

She is also a great foul shooter (82.5%) for a player in the frontcourt.

The Sky are keeping massive center Kamilla Cardoso, and so they evidently decided they needed a power forward that fit alongside her better than Reese did.

They're hoping that's what they've gotten in Jackson.