Angel Reese Traded To Atlanta Dream – Makes No. 1 Team In Eastern Conference Even Better

The Chicago Sky has traded former WNBA All-Star Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream.

The Sky will get two first-round picks in this trade. The Dream got a two-time WNBA rebounding champion.

Last season, the Sky finished with the WNBA’s second-worst record at 10-34. Reese was due for a massive pay increase from $74,000 to $350,000 this season. The new WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement increased the salaries of nearly all WNBA players.

The Sky did not think they could build a winning team by the time Reese would’ve been a free agent in 2028. The Dream, meanwhile, were the best team in the Eastern Conference last season with a record of 30-14. 

Despite being a strong team overall, most of their major contributors are guards. Although Brionna Jones is a good forward, she couldn’t carry the Dream’s rebounding game alone. Reese will be a major help in the rebounding game. Reese is the only player in the WNBA’s history to average at least 12 rebounds per game.  

The Sky were desperate to get some draft assets. In April 2025, they traded their 2026 first-round pick to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Hailey Van Lith. The 2026 pick ended up being the No. 2 overall pick. The Sky acquired the Connecticut Sun’s 2026 first-round pick in 2024, which ended up being the No. 5 overall pick. However, it still stings to have such a valuable pick in another team’s hands.

Currently, the Sky are projected to draft UCLA point guard Kiki Rice. Rice averaged 15 points and six rebounds with UCLA this season. 

Rice has many key abilities that could make any WNBA team better. She can handle the ball, pass, shoot and play defense. 

The WNBA draft will be on April 13 in New York City.