Angel Reese Traded to Atlanta Dream in Blockbuster Deal

Sky GM says trade was made to give star player a fresh start, despite no trade request

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:57pm

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A cubist-inspired painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conceptually representing the complex dynamics of a major WNBA trade.A bold, fragmented visual interpretation of the WNBA's latest high-profile trade, capturing the dynamic energy and shifting perspectives surrounding Angel Reese's move from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream.Chicago Today

The Chicago Sky have traded away superstar Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream in a shocking move just one month before the 2026 WNBA regular season. While Reese had previously hinted at wanting more talent added to the Sky roster, sources say she did not formally request a trade from Chicago.

Why it matters

The trade of Reese, one of the WNBA's brightest young stars, is a major shakeup for both the Sky and Dream franchises. Chicago is now expected to undergo a roster overhaul, while Atlanta has significantly bolstered its lineup with the addition of Reese.

The details

Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca stated that the team worked closely with Reese's representatives to find her a new home, despite her not officially requesting a trade. The Sky will receive multiple first-round picks in 2027 and 2028 as part of the deal.

  • The trade was announced on Monday, April 6, 2026.
  • Reese had hinted at wanting more talent added to the Sky roster since the end of the 2025 season.

The players

Angel Reese

A star player for the Chicago Sky who has now been traded to the Atlanta Dream.

Jeff Pagliocca

The general manager of the Chicago Sky, who stated the team worked with Reese to find her a new home.

Atlanta Dream

The WNBA franchise that acquired Angel Reese in the blockbuster trade.

Chicago Sky

The WNBA franchise that traded away star player Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream.

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What they’re saying

“Sources told me and [ESPN's Kendra Andrews] Reese did not request a trade but the Sky worked closely with her team to find her a new home and that there was no contention between the two parties.”

— Alexa Philippou, ESPN Reporter

What’s next

The Sky are expected to undergo a significant roster overhaul in the offseason, while the Dream will look to integrate Reese into their lineup ahead of the 2026 WNBA season.

The takeaway

This trade represents a major shakeup in the WNBA, as one of the league's brightest young stars has been moved to a new team despite not formally requesting a trade. It remains to be seen how both the Sky and Dream will fare in the aftermath of this blockbuster deal.