The Atlanta Dream continue to express their excitement after acquiring former Chicago Sky All-Star Angel Reese early on Monday. General manager Dan Padover called the two-time rebounding champ “a perfect fit” in Atlanta following the trade.
On Sunday, on WSB TV Atlanta, Morgan Shaw Parker, the team president and chief operating officer, responded when asked to comment on the Reese trade:
“The fans have said it best. I have a stat here that is wild, so nearly 100% positive fan sentiment across every social media outlet. They love her! She absolutely belongs here, and we’re so happy to welcome her home. … Our fans said that there could basically be no better move than to bring her in with this team.”
The Dream traded their first-round picks in 2027 and 2028 to get Reese. Atlanta also has a 2028 second-round pick swap with Chicago. Reese was the No. 7 pick of the 2024 draft that was headed by her rival, Caitlin Clark.
In two seasons with the Chicago Sky, the 2023 NCAA champ led the WNBA in rebounding in back-to-back seasons. Chicago failed to make the playoffs in Reese’s two years with the team. In early September last year, she said that she would look in another direction if the Sky didn’t make significant offseason upgrades.
ESPN reported on Monday that Angel Reese did not request a trade, but Reese’s team and the Sky worked together to find a new home for the double-double machine. Now in Atlanta, Dream executives and fans are already giddy with excitement to see Reese join the team.
Atlanta Dream Offseason Far From Over After Angel Reese Signing
The Angel Reese signing can’t be the biggest move the Atlanta Dream will make in the offseason. As the top option in Chicago, Reese couldn’t carry the Sky to a playoff appearance.
The Dream must address their free agency needs to make the Reese trade more impactful.
With multiple superstar free agents around, the Dream could make a move for MVP-caliber players such as Napheesa Collier and Alyssa Thomas. Aj’a Wilson said on Sunday that she looks to stay in Las Vegas, so she is likely out of Atlanta’s reach.
The Dream will likely bring back the core of Allisha Gray, who finished fourth in MVP voting, Brionna Jones and Jordin Canada, who are all unrestricted free agents.
Rhyne Howard and Sixth Player of the Year Naz Hillmon are restricted free agents, giving the Dream the right to match any offer for both.
Regardless of how the Dream will continue their free agency approach, the Angel Reese trade has to be the start of other moves that could potentially make them championship contenders.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball and college baseball.
