The Atlanta Dream pulled off the shock of the WNBA offseason when they traded for two-time All-Star Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky.
The move was months in the making.
The Sky season ended with mounting tension between Reese and her teammates after she shrew them and her team under the bus in an interview with the Chicago Tribune.
“I’m not settling for the same s— we did this year,” Reese said. “We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me. I’m willing and wanting to play with the best.
“And however I can help to get the best here, that’s what I’m going to do this offseason. So it’s going to be very, very important this offseason to make sure we attract the best of the best because we can’t settle for what we have this year.”
Dream Announce Big Angel Reese Contract News
GettyThe Chicago Sky recently traded star forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream
Just weeks after acquiring Reese, the Dream made a pretty major decision regarding Reese’s WNBA future.
“The Atlanta Dream is exercising Angel Reese’s fourth year option, the organization announced today,” Dream PR announced on X.
The move locks Reese into at least two more seasons in Atlanta, and given the Dream sent the Sky two first-round picks in exchange for the 2024 Rookie of the Year runner-up, the team is likely thinking long-term when it comes to their future with the LSU alum.
Reese is clearly a big part of Atlanta’s plans as she’s now a centerpiece of the team’s frontcourt alongside Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, and Brionna Jones — all of whom re-signed this offseason — in addition to their three-player 2026 draft class — South Carolina center Madina Okot (Round 1), North Carolina shooting guard Indya Nivar (Round 2), and Chinese shooting guard Kejia Ran (Round 3).
Dream Already Reaping Benefits of Reese Trade
GettyAtlanta Dream forward Angel Reese
Since announcing the acquisition of Reese, the Dream have already started benefitting from the move.
“Atlanta Dream ticket demand spiked 15x after trading for Angel Reese, the largest single day spike in franchise history,” StubHub announced nearly three weeks ago. “The Angel Reese Effect is real. 🔥.”
In addition to the massive increased demand for tickets, the average ticket price for Atlanta’s home opener he Minnesota Lynx on May 10 has surged from $173 to $255, and average ticket prices across the season doubled from $38 to $68, according to TickPix.
A two-time WNBA All-Star, two-time WNBA rebounding leader, WNBA All-Rookie Team selection, Unrivaled Defensive Player of the Year, second-team All-Unrivaled selection, and Unrivaled champion, Reese is one of the rising stars in women’s basketball.
The 23-year-old averaged 14.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game last season for the Sky. With a better supporting cast, Reese may play in the WNBA postseason for the first time in her career next season.
Atlanta Dream Announce Major Angel Reese News