The Chicago Sky have traded star forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream, the teams announced Monday, marking the first major move of the WNBA offseason. The trade comes as the league operates on a condensed timeline following the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement last month.
Reese, 23, was a two-time All-Star with the Sky, who drafted her seventh overall in 2024. She led the WNBA in rebounds per game for the past two seasons, averaging a league-record 13.1 as a rookie and 12.6 in 2025. She also led the league in double-doubles (23) last season while averaging 14.7 points and 3.7 assists per game.
Reese's relationship with the Sky became strained as the team missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year. In September, she told the Chicago Tribune that Chicago “might have to move in a different direction” if they did not improve. The Sky suspended her for half a game, calling her comments “detrimental to the team”. She later apologised, saying her remarks were taken out of context.
“I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to join the Atlanta Dream organisation,” 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.”
Chicago received a 2027 first-round draft pick and a 2028 second-round pick in the trade. Atlanta, who went 30-14 last season and lost in the first round of the playoffs, also received swap rights to a second-round pick in 2028. The free agency period is under way, with more than 100 players on the market under the new CBA, which sets the salary cap at about $7m.
