Chicago Sky Trade All-Star Forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream

Summary

• The Chicago Sky have officially traded star forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream in a massive blockbuster deal
• In exchange for the 23-year-old rebounding sensation, Chicago receives two future first-round draft picks (2027 and 2028), while Atlanta also acquires 2028 second-round pick swap rights
• The major transaction arrives at the start of a condensed WNBA offseason and follows growing tensions between Reese and the Sky organization late in the 2025 season

The WNBA free agency period has officially kicked off with an absolute blockbuster. The Chicago Sky have announced that they are trading two-time All-Star forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream. The massive offseason move sends the former No. 7 overall pick to a highly competitive, playoff-ready Atlanta roster in exchange for a significant package of draft capital, completely shaking up the league’s landscape ahead of the 2026 season.

In exchange for parting ways with their franchise centerpiece, the Chicago Sky are receiving a pair of first-round draft picks—one in 2027 and another in 2028. Alongside Reese, the Atlanta Dream will also receive second-round pick swap rights for the 2028 WNBA Draft. Chicago General Manager Jeff Pagliocca noted in a press statement that the trade was “designed to achieve roster balance and represents a great opportunity for all parties,” thanking Reese for her numerous record-breaking contributions over her first two years in the league.

The trade effectively closes the book on a somewhat tumultuous sophomore season for Reese in Chicago. Despite tying for the league lead with 23 double-doubles and averaging a league-best 12.6 rebounds per game in 2025, Reese’s relationship with the Sky grew visibly strained as the team tumbled to a disappointing 10-34 finish. Late last season, she openly voiced frustrations regarding the roster’s talent level and was briefly suspended for a half-game for comments deemed detrimental to the team. Although reports indicated Reese did not formally request a trade, the Sky reportedly worked closely with her to find a favorable new home.

Now, Reese is headed south to join an emerging Atlanta Dream squad that finished the 2025 season with a franchise-record 30 wins under head coach Karl Smesko. She will seamlessly plug into a competitive roster spearheaded by established stars like Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard. “I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to join the Atlanta Dream organization,” Reese said in a statement. “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.”

Reese enthusiastically confirmed the massive trade on her social media channels, posting, “An Angel’s DREAM. ATL, WHAT UP?!” The blockbuster deal serves as the first major move of a condensed WNBA offseason, setting the stage for what is expected to be an incredibly active free agency period.