The WNBA landscape shifted dramatically as the Chicago Sky traded star forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream in a blockbuster deal. Chicago will receive first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, plus a second-round pick swap, ending Reese's two-year tenure with the franchise where she became the league's dominant rebounder.
While Sky fans lamented the departure of their young superstar, Atlanta supporters immediately celebrated acquiring the two-time All-Star. Reese took to social media platform X to share her enthusiasm about the fresh start with a playoff-caliber team.
Reese arrived in Chicago as the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft following a decorated collegiate career at LSU, where she won a national championship and earned Tournament MVP honors in 2023. Her individual success translated immediately to the professional level, finishing second to Caitlin Clark in Rookie of the Year voting and ranking 12th in MVP voting during her debut season.
The 2025 campaign saw Reese elevate her game further, increasing her scoring average from 13.6 to 14.7 points per game while leading the league in rebounding for the second consecutive year. Despite her individual excellence, the Sky struggled mightily, winning only 23 total games across her two seasons and posting a dismal 10-34 record this past year.
Tensions came to a head last September when the organization suspended Reese for conduct detrimental to the team after she publicly criticized the franchise's direction. "I'm not settling for the same sā we did this year. We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That's non-negotiable to me," Reese told the Chicago Tribune at the time. "I'm willing and wanting to play with the best. And however I can help to get the best here, that's what I'm going to do this offseason."
While Reese never formally requested a trade, sources indicate discussions occurred between her representatives and the organization before the deal was finalized. Sky general manager Jegg Paglioca described the move as aimed at "achieving roster balance" and called it a positive opportunity for both parties.
For Atlanta, the acquisition represents a major coup. Dream GM Dan Padover stated that Reese represents a "perfect fit" for the team's building plans. The Dream finished the 2025 season with a 30-14 record, third-best in the league, before falling to the Indiana Fever in the opening playoff round.
Reese now joins forces with veteran center Brittney Griner to form one of the most imposing frontcourts in the league, pairing the WNBA's blocks leader with its rebounding champion. She'll also play alongside All-Stars Alisha Gray and Rhyne Howard as Atlanta pursues its first WNBA championship.
The immediate impact was measurable within hours of the trade announcement. Ticket prices for Atlanta's season opener surged from $38 to $68, while the Dream's championship odds improved from +1800 to +1000. The team's official Instagram account gained over 18,000 new followers in less than nine hours.
As Reese begins this new chapter in Atlanta, all eyes will be on whether this revamped roster can deliver the championship results that both the organization and its newest star desperately seek.
