By: Jennifer Portee
The Atlanta Dream just made a major move, and it could reshape the balance of power in the WNBA. By acquiring two-time All-Star Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky in exchange for first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, plus the right to swap second-round picks in 2028, Atlanta made it clear it believes Reese is worth the investment and ready to help elevate a team on the rise.
That belief lines up with the national conversation around Reese. On First Take, Stephen A. Smith said he was “very, very happy” for Reese, noting that Chicago has struggled while Atlanta is coming off a strong season and is putting her in a better winning environment. He also pointed out that Reese’s production: 14 points and 12 rebounds a game makes her a “glue piece” who can help a contender take another step.
That’s exactly why this move makes sense for the Dream. Reese has already built a résumé that screams impact player. She led LSU to the 2023 national championship and earned Most Outstanding Player honors, then entered the WNBA and immediately became one of the league’s best rebounders. In two seasons, she has 49 career double-doubles, averages 14.0 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, and is the only player in WNBA history to average at least 12 rebounds per game in each of her first two seasons.
Atlanta is also giving Reese a structure built for success. The Dream finished the 2025 season with a franchise best 30 wins and a .682 winning percentage under first-year head coach Karl Smesko, while jumping from last in offensive rating in 2024 to second in 2025. Add in Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, and Brionna Jones, and Reese walks into a locker room that already knows how to compete.
Smith’s point was simple: Reese is a difference maker, and Atlanta is the kind of place where that value can really show up. With her motor, physicality, and star power, the Dream didn’t just add a name they added a tone setter for a team with real postseason ambitions.
The Dream open the 2026 season at home on May 17 against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces at State Farm Arena.