Expectations are high for the Atlanta Dream.
And although not all of them rely on Angel Reese, her arrival in Atlanta can be the difference for Dream.
Allisha Gray has said as much, telling ESPN, “I do believe that Angel is the missing piece that we need to take us over the top.” When general manager Dan Padover approached head coach Karl Smesko about acquiring Reese, he later revealed he offered a similar sentiment, saying, “She would bring a lot of stuff that really would take the Dream to another
level.”
After a franchise-best 30-14 season that ended in a first-round exit, how can Reese be “the missing piece” who elevates Atlanta? Here are three areas in which Reese can make 2026 a Dream season in the ATL
1. How Angel can help Atlanta maximize possessions
Last season, an eager embrace of high-volume 3-point shooting propelled the Dream’s offensive improvement, with Atlanta taking and making the second-most triples per game in the league. Under Smesko, the team better maximized every offensive possession by taking higher-value shots, meaning 3-pointers over midrangers.
This season, Reese can help the Dream further optimize their offense by creating more possessions. And yes, that can happen thanks to Angel’s elite offensive rebounding. In 2025, Atlanta attempted just under 68 shots per game, which was around league average. With her prowess on the offensive glass, Reese can generate more shooting opportunities.
The 2026 Dream, thus, can combine taking high-value shots with taking lots of shots.
It would also be encouraging to see Angel kick out her o-boards for open 3-point opportunities.
Considering she and the other starters played relatively limited minutes in preseason, it’s unclear if that will be a strategy Smesko will look to tap into. Reese is an improving finisher around the basket, although she still has yet to rid herself of the tendency to bring the ball too low before going back up. In such circumstances, Angel can pivot and look for a teammate who has relocated for an open corner 3. Hopefully, she swishes; if not, try it again, with Reese corralling another rebound before finding another open shooter.
Angel, however, should not be totally abandon putbacks, as she often gets fouled on such opportunities.
Last season, Reese finished third in the league with 5.7 free throw attempts per game. In two preseason games, playing only an average of 12 minutes, Reese earned 7.0 trips to the line. She shot poorly from the line during this preseason, but as long as she settles around, or improves upon, last season’s 75.6 percent mark, she can contribute a dose of easy points to the Atlanta scoreboard.
2. How Angel can open up the Dream’s offense even more
As articulated above, Reese can juice the Dream’s 3-point shooting without herself improving as a 3-point shooter, even though the track record of this Atlanta staff suggests they will provide Reese with the instruction needed to refine her 3-point shot—and that she will be empowered to test it out.
If the realization of Angel’s 3 is a gradual process, she can still create even more space for the Atlanta offense, and thus make the Dream even more difficult to guard, by operating as a point forward. The two preseason games provided some hints of this possibility.
In such a capacity, Reese can be surrounded four other players who have to be guarded from behind the arc, pulling opposing defenders outside of the paint. If the paint is unprotected, Smesko can design offensive actions that look to get players open, uncontested looks at the rim, or get the defense in rotation as they try to cover all the ground required to defend Atlanta’s shooters. Angel operating as the trigger woman can open up these actions, with the threat of her also driving to the basket, whether by blowing by a slower defender or overpowering a smaller one, making the Dream’s halfcourt set up even more dangerous.
Angel’s versatility, in short, can male the Dream’s offense more versatile.
3. How Angel can inject Atlanta with ferocity and fight
It is both a compliment and criticism of the Dream core is that they’ve been a bit too nice.
Yes, Allisha has her crashouts, and Rhyne reportedly is a renowned trash talker, albeit at a whisper. But overall, they Dream are more likely to beat opponents with a smile, not a sneer.
Reese, in contrast, plays with a sharper edge. She doesn’t hesitate to poke or prod opponents with a well-earned taunt. And when challenged, she bites back.
Those traits, more than her play, could be the most significant way in which she makes a difference for the 2026 Dream.
This is not to say that the returning Atlanta players lack the requisite competitiveness. But, Angel wears her ferocity in a way foreign to most members of the Dream. That emotional fire can fuel Dream. When the team threatens to wither in adverse moments, especially in the postseason, Angel should be empowered to be express her edge, and inspire her teammates to find theirs.
At the very highest levels at which the Dream are aiming, these intangibles, as much as X and Os, can swing a game or series that is trending toward another “only Atlanta” disappointment into a validating victory.
Dream fans, share your thoughts about Angel and the rest of the squad in the comments.
How do you envision Angel helping the Dream level up? Who else are you expecting to have a big season? Do the high expectations make you nervous, or do you believe this team is poised to be better than ever?
