It has been a year since the Chicago Sky traded their third overall pick, Sonia Citron, to Washington in exchange for veteran guard Ariel Atkins. This move triggered a tug of war between fans, which popped up once more recently.

While the debate regarding Citron's trade began shortly after it happened, by the end of the 2025 WNBA season, it had become one of the most talked-about events. All thanks to the Sky's disastrous run after trading her, as they ended the season with a W/L record of 10-34, finishing in last place in the Eastern Conference.

On April 1, an X update from I talk hoops highlighted the specifics of the trade to conclude whether it worked in favor of the Sky. It left the answer to the fans, asking, "Now that we’re a year removed from the deal, who won this trade?

Chicago received: Ariel Atkins

Washington received: 2025 No. 3 pick (Sonia Citron), and the rights to swap 2027 picks (potential lottery pick)."

Citron averaged 14.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists a game in her rookie year. At 21 years old, she was selected to play in the WNBA All-Star Game.

On the other hand, Atkins averaged 13.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game in 2025 for the Sky. She even turned in a 30-point performance against the Las Vegas Aces. Her career high of 36 points last year was also against them.

While both players' stats are comparable, the former Mystics guard missed 10 games while playing for Chicago in 2025.  In addition, Alissa Hirsh, a writer for the Chicago Sun-Times, called this trade "a wash" back in July last year. Hirsh even stated one big difference between Atkins and Citron.

"The Mystics will have Citron for four years guaranteed, while the Sky will have to convince Atkins to stay beyond this season," said Hirsh.

Let's not forget the fact that the Sky also opted for the rights to swap 2027 picks with the Mystics, which could potentially be a lottery pick.

While neither Chicago nor Washington managed to make it to the playoffs last season, it looks like the Mystics had the upper hand against the Sky in this trade, as they look forward to having a future with Citron as the face of the franchise.

However, fans presented a plethora of opinions about the issue.

Fans Choose their Pick on Who Won the Trade

Fans heavily favoured the Mystics over the Sky as the beneficiary of the trade in the comments section of I talk hoops' X update. But a few wanted to wait till next season, when the full trade details are in front of us.

"It was a terrible trade at the time and just keeps getting worse." One user said, implying that the trade should not have happened.

"Sonia Citron is the real deal. I watched her play and heard her name called all season. More time will tell," another one opined.

"Washington. This move from the sky was dumb as hell." Yet another user favored the Mystics, saying these words.

One more user wanted to wait before making a verdict. He penned, "Depends on 2027." "On paper, Chicago has the better team... Just no management or coaching," a second one stated.

While the Sky more or less ended up on the wrong side of this trade, fans will have another one coming up very soon to talk about.

The side is swapping pick No. 17 in the 2026 WNBA Draft with Portland’s pick No. 21 in exchange for the Fire not selecting any player from Chicago’s Unprotected List in the Expansion Draft.

What would you say? Did this one actually work in the Sky's favor, or did it benefit the Mystics?

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Souvik Roy