The Atlanta Dream ushered in the long-awaited WNBA offseason with a bang, sending a pair of future first-round draft picks to the Chicago Sky in exchange for Angel Reese.
Offseason speculation swirled about the superstar’s future in Chicago due the organization appearing to distance itself from Reese, despite her on-court achievements and off-court appeal. The Dream took advantage of the Sky’s dysfunction, sending out their 2027 and 2028 first-round picks to bring Angel to the ATL.
Reese’s arrival affirms the Dream’s rise into national WNBA relevance.
Atlanta’s upward trajectory began last season with the signing of unrestricted free agent Brittney Griner. Most close WNBA observers understood that BG’s name now exceed her game; still, the signing of a former legend represented the biggest move in the franchise’s history.
Then, under new head coach Karl Smesko, the Dream established a winning culture in 2025, where a career-best season from Allisha Gray, the continued refinement of Rhyne Howard, the astounding improvement of Naz Hillmon, plus the steady play of Brionna Jones and Jordin Canada, resulted in the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2018.
With Reese, expectation are sky high for 2026.
As long as the Dream are able to retain their core in the upcoming free agency period, there’s plenty of reasons to be excited about Atlanta’s acquisition of Angel. Here are the two biggest.
1. Reese is a high-reward, low-risk acquisition for Atlanta
It’s fair to say the Sky, an organization not know for smart assessment management, sold low on Reese.
It’s unlikely that the pair of first-round draft picks will see Atlanta effectively send JuJu Watkins, Madison Booker, Sarah Strong or Mikayla Blakes to the Windy City. Barring an outlier-level disaster season, the Dream will likely be giving up late first-round picks. The picks could still produce a promising player—as Reese herself was a post-lottery first-round draft pick in 2024—but the chances a slim that Chicago will be selecting a the top of the draft with an Atlanta pick in 2027 or 2028.
That’s not only true because Reese solidifies Atlanta’s existing playoff-caliber core, but also because of the shifting realities of the league. The names of Watkins, Booker, Strong and Blakes could inspire more intentional tanking by organizations not equipped to win now, meaning more wins will be up for grabs for the Dream, even if they do suffer a spate of injuries that results in a less successful season than expected.
Furthermore, as the No. 7 overall pick in 2024, Reese is under contract for two more years at a team friendly number. She is scheduled to make $350,692 in 2026 and $396,282 in 2027.
That production-to-value proposition is excellent, especially for a Dream team that will have to be cognizant of their books as they aim to re-sign Gray, Howard and Hillmon, as well as Canada and Jones.
2. Angel is going to be optimized in the ATL
Enough about the asset valuation and accounting implications. The real excitrment with Reese comes on the court.
With Angel, the offensive rebounding is always going to be the headliner. She is generational on the glass. And for a team that is encouraged to liberally fire away from 3, having Reese under the basket and ready to grab every board will be a boon.
But as Reese has shown, she’s not just a rebounder.
Heralded as a point forward as a high school recruit, Reese intermittently was empowered to tap into those skills during her two seasons in Chicago. And oftentimes, that opportunity came in unideal situations for mismatched Sky lineups. In Atlanta, look for Angel to get those opportunities in circumstances designed for her to succeed.
Smesko and his staff, in just one season in Atlanta, proved excellent at maximizing their players. Now, a player with as much talent as Reese is their project.
It also will not be surprising if Reese’s outside shot, both from the midrange and behind the arc, develops once she dons a Dream uniform. Last season, Hillmon went from a reluctant to shooter to someone confident to fire away. Angel with a 3-ball? Let’s go!
As Dream general manager Dan Padover said of Reese:
Angel is a dynamic talent and a perfect fit for what we are building in Atlanta.
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.
Angel herself expressed optimism about the new opportunity, saying:
I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to join the Atlanta Dream organization. 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.
What do we think Atlanta fans? Is it all a Dream? How excited are you to see Angel in the ATL?
