Angel Reese’s tenure with the Chicago Sky ended earlier this month after she was traded to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for first-round picks in 2027 and 2028. On Friday, she said the move to Atlanta carried deep meaning for her.
The trade ended her run with the Sky, a period marked by team struggles while also showcasing her individual promise.
During her introductory press conference with the Dream, Reese said she is eager to help a winning team after Atlanta reached the playoffs in each of the past three seasons.
“Being able to come to an organization that really cared about their players, just being able to see a GM that really wanted me and knew what my talents are. Being able to talk to players that genuinely know what I am and who I am as a person, but also as a player, is like a breath of fresh air,” Reese said.
“It lowkey makes me emotional because I haven’t had this, and I’m really grateful, and I’m really looking forward to the start.”
Reese’s time with the Sky had been turbulent. Late last season, she expressed frustration with the team and her teammates in a Chicago Tribune interview after another disappointing year.
Front Office Sports reported that Reese’s remarks did not sit well with teammates, creating questions about her standing within the organization.
Without Reese in the lineup, the Sky stumbled to a 1-13 record. They finished 10-34 overall, the second-worst mark in franchise history, ahead of only their inaugural 5-29 season.
It also marked the team’s second consecutive season without a playoff appearance after making five straight trips from 2019 to 2023, a run that included a championship.
Angel Reese Sees Potential for Growth With Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream feature stars Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard, and Reese joins a team that posted the third-best record last season.
Joining that group is exciting for Reese.
“I love to win. I love to compete. … I’m not satisfied with what I am as a player,” Reese said. “Being around these kinds of players would help me be better and I can help them in different ways to help them win. And that’s all I ever wanted. I don’t care about anything else.”
Last season, the Dream led the league in rebounding at 36.6 per game. Reese led the league in rebounding over the past two seasons, making her addition a boost to an area where Atlanta already excelled.
