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

The blockbuster deal sends the former No. 7 overall pick to a highly competitive Atlanta roster.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:04am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented WNBA basketball game, with sharp planes of color representing the uniforms of the Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream teams.The blockbuster trade of Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream signals a major shift in the WNBA landscape.Chicago Today

The Chicago Sky have officially traded star forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream in a massive offseason move. In exchange, the Sky are receiving a pair of first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2028, as well as second-round pick swap rights for 2028. The trade effectively closes the book on a tumultuous sophomore season for Reese in Chicago, where she openly voiced frustrations about the team's talent level. Reese is now headed to join an emerging Atlanta Dream squad that finished the 2025 season with a franchise-record 30 wins.

Why it matters

This blockbuster trade shakes up the WNBA landscape ahead of the 2026 season, with the Dream adding a young superstar in Reese to their already competitive roster. For the Sky, the deal represents a chance to rebuild around new talent through the draft picks acquired. The trade also highlights the challenges of team chemistry and roster construction in the WNBA.

The details

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. The trade effectively closes the book on a somewhat tumultuous sophomore season for Reese in Chicago, where 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.

  • The WNBA free agency period officially kicked off on April 8, 2026.
  • Reese tied for the league lead with 23 double-doubles and averaged a league-best 12.6 rebounds per game in the 2025 season.

The players

Angel Reese

A two-time WNBA All-Star forward who was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Reese had a tumultuous sophomore season with the Chicago Sky in 2025, openly voicing frustrations about the team's talent level.

Jeff Pagliocca

The General Manager of the Chicago Sky, who noted that the trade was 'designed to achieve roster balance and represents a great opportunity for all parties.'

Karl Smesko

The head coach of the Atlanta Dream, who led the team to a franchise-record 30 wins in the 2025 season.

Allisha Gray

An established star player for the Atlanta Dream.

Rhyne Howard

An established star player for the Atlanta Dream.

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What they’re saying

“I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity to join the Atlanta Dream organization. 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.”

— Angel Reese

“An Angel's DREAM. ATL, WHAT UP?!”

— Angel Reese

What’s next

The trade sets the stage for what is expected to be an incredibly active WNBA free agency period, with Reese joining the Atlanta Dream and the Chicago Sky looking to rebuild through the draft picks acquired in the deal.

The takeaway

This blockbuster trade highlights the challenges of team chemistry and roster construction in the WNBA, as the Sky look to move on from a tumultuous season with Reese. For the Dream, the addition of Reese bolsters an already competitive roster and signals their intent to contend for a championship in the coming years.