Geoff Burke, Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Chicago Sky Facing New Criticism Over Offseason Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated May 17, 2025 9:39 AM ET

The Chicago Sky got to sit back and watch the WNBA action on Friday night as the team prepared for its season opener against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, fans were put through one of the most universal emotional trials of opening night of any new season — watching players who could have been acquired in the offseason ball out for another team.

On Friday, the focus was on Washington Mystics rookie Sonia Citron, who scored 19 points in her professional debut to help the Mystics pull off a 94-90 win against the Atlanta Dream.

Citron was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft — the pick that Chicago had until deciding to trade it to Washington for 2019 WNBA champion Ariel Atkins and a future pick swap.

While Atkins awaits her regular season debut against the Fever, Citron's hot start already had fans questioning the Sky's decision.

The Sky had Sonia Citron right in their laps and chose a 1-yr rental of Ariel Atkins instead

They may go on to regret that… #Skytown
— Bork Hardstone (@BorkHardstone) May 17, 2025

"Sonia Citron should’ve been in a Sky jersey," wrote a fan on X.

"Was thinking about why Sky didn't choose Citron too," echoed another. "She's a walking bucket. 2-way guard."

"Sky could of had Sonia Citron," added a commenter.

The SKY passed on Citron pic.twitter.com/sBvueE0PVk
— Kelsey Plum Muse (@KelseyPlumMuse) May 17, 2025

"Thank you Chicago we'll take 4 years of this," teased one enthused Mystics fan.

Citron is on a three-year, $247,688 rookie contract with the Mystics with a team option for a fourth. Atkins is in the final year of a two-year deal worth $200,000 per season.

The single-game sample size makes it impossible to project Citron's career compared to Atkins, a two-time WNBA All-Star and former No. 7 overall pick. During her seven seasons in Washington, Atkins averaged 13.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

Atkins will get her first chance on Saturday to make everyone forget about the other person involved in the trade. The Sky and Fever tip off at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: