The opening day of WNBA free agency brings major movement, with the Chicago Sky trading Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream for future draft capital. Chicago receive first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, while the teams also exchange second-round selections in 2028, signalling a significant reset for both rosters early in the off-season.
Reese, aged 23, arrives in Atlanta after two standout years with Chicago, where the forward quickly became one of the league’s most productive rebounders. The 2024 seventh overall pick earned All-Star selections in both seasons and now links up with a Dream side that posted a franchise-best 30 victories in 2025.
Reese led the WNBA in rebounds during each of the last two campaigns, underlining consistent impact on the glass.
As a rookie in 2024, Reese averaged 13.6 points with 13.1 rebounds and finished second in the rookie of the year voting. In 2025, those numbers shifted to 14.7 points and 12.6 rebounds per game.
Atlanta’s interest aligns with the team’s recent rise, as the Dream built momentum during their 30-win 2025 season and now add one of the league’s top interior players. The move also hands Chicago extra first-round choices, giving the Sky flexibility to rebuild a squad that have missed the play-offs for two straight years.
The Dream announced the arrival of Reese with a social media post that referenced the popular "Bayou Barbie" nickname from college days and welcomed the forward to Atlanta support. The message underlined the marketing and fan appeal around the player, alongside the basketball value that attracted the organisation.
Bayou Barbie ATL Welcome to the , Angel pic.twitter.com/egHdbK9oaKAtlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) April 6, 2026
Dream general manager Dan Padover highlighted the fit between Reese and the franchise’s current project in a formal statement. Padover pointed to production, attitude and ambition as reasons Atlanta moved to secure the deal and linked those traits directly to the organisation’s long-term vision on and off the court.
Angel is a dynamic talent and a perfect fit for what we are building in Atlanta,general manager Dan Padover said in a statement released by the Dream. 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 organisation and our fans.
Chicago’s recent record explains the search for change despite Reese’s strong personal numbers. The Sky finished 10-34 in 2025, matching the Dallas Wings for the league’s worst mark. Those struggles followed another season without play-off basketball in 2024, increasing pressure on the front office to reshape the group.
Key statistics from Reese’s Chicago spell and the Sky’s 2025 campaign underline the context around the Angel Reese trade and wider WNBA free agency moves for both the Sky and the Dream.
| Season | Team | Points per game | Rebounds per game | Team record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Chicago Sky | 13.6 | 13.1 | Missed play-offs |
| 2025 | Chicago Sky | 14.7 | 12.6 | 10-34 |
| 2025 | Atlanta Dream | — | — | 30 wins (franchise record) |
Tension between Reese and Chicago surfaced late in the 2025 season when the team were struggling for results. Reese gave an interview criticising the Sky front office, coaching staff and teammates, and the organisation responded by suspending Reese for one half of a game due to those public comments.
After the season, Reese told reporters an intention to return to the Sky, but Chicago’s leadership evidently assessed alternative options. The choice to trade Reese suggests the Sky prioritised roster balance and future picks over extending the relationship with one of the league’s top rebounders.
This trade is designed to achieve roster balance and represents a great opportunity for all parties,Chicago general manager Jeff Pagliocca said in a statement released by the Sky. 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. We wish Angel all the best in her next chapter.
The Angel Reese trade during WNBA free agency now links one of the league’s leading rebounders with an Atlanta Dream squad coming off a record season, while the Chicago Sky turn towards a longer-term rebuild with added draft assets. Both franchises reshape direction, and Reese’s next steps will be closely watched across the league.
