The Chicago Sky have completed a major roster shakeup, trading two-time All-Star forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for two future first-round draft selections. The deal, announced Monday, sends the 2025 WNBA rebounding champion to Atlanta for first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, with the Dream also receiving 2028 second-round swap rights.
Reese, 23, established herself as one of the league's most dominant interior players during her two seasons in Chicago. She defended her rebounding crown last season with 12.6 boards per game, becoming the only player in WNBA history to average at least 12.0 rebounds in multiple seasons. The LSU product also led the league with 23 double-doubles while topping the Sky in scoring (14.7 points) and assists (3.7).
"I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity to join the Atlanta Dream organization," Reese said. "I'm focused on continuing to grow my game, competing at the highest level, connecting with the fans, and giving everything I've got to the Dream."
Sources indicate Reese did not formally request a trade, but the Sky collaborated with her representation to facilitate a move to a new team. Chicago missed the playoffs in both of Reese's seasons and appears poised for a significant roster overhaul this offseason.
The trade follows public tension between Reese and the Sky organization after she voiced concerns about the team's direction in September. "I'm not settling for the same s--- we did this year," Reese told the Chicago Tribune at the time. "We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That's a nonnegotiable for me. I'm willing and wanting to play with the best."
Reese added: "I'd like to be here for my career, but if things don't pan out, obviously I might have to move in a different direction and do what's best for me. But while I am here, I'm going to try to stay open-minded about what I have here and maximize that as much as I can."
The Sky organization deemed these comments "detrimental to the team" and suspended Reese for the first half of their next game. She did not appear in the second half of that contest or the final three games of the season, with the team citing a back injury. Reese later apologized to teammates for her public remarks.
In Atlanta, Reese joins a Dream squad that finished the 2025 season with a 30-14 record, the third-best in the WNBA. She'll team with dynamic guards Allisha Gray, who finished fourth in MVP voting last season, and Rhyne Howard as Atlanta looks to build upon its first-round playoff exit to Indiana.
"Angel is a dynamic talent and a perfect fit for what we are building in Atlanta," Dream general manager Dan Padover said in a statement. "She has already proven herself as one of the most impactful players in the league, and her competitiveness, production and drive to win align seamlessly with our vision. This is an exciting moment for our organization and our fans."
Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca characterized the move as beneficial for all parties involved. "This trade is designed to achieve roster balance and represents a great opportunity for all parties," Pagliocca said. "Angel has achieved many record-breaking milestones in her first two years in the WNBA and has been a competitive force for the Sky. We are thankful for her many important contributions to this league and this game, and we know she will continue to have a big impact on the court and beyond."
The Sky struggled significantly without Reese last season, posting a 1-13 record in games she missed while finishing with a 10-34 overall mark. Chicago now possesses five first-round picks over the next three drafts as they embark on their rebuilding process.
Reese's rookie contract runs through 2026 with a team option for 2027, giving Atlanta control of her services for at least the next two seasons as they attempt to build a championship contender around their new frontcourt star.
