Angel Reese trade sees Chicago Sky history repeating itself, while Atlanta Dream elevate contender status

Chicago Sky brass and Angel Reese herself could say whatever they wanted to bounce around the subject this offseason. A trade appeared imminent for months, and anyone shocked at that aspect of the news on Monday morning is obtuse, at best. That doesn’t mean the shockwaves are any less impactful for the Sky, a franchise consistently mired in controversy and drama, speeding into the spotlight of All-Star hosting duties this summer.

And now they’re without their larger-than-life superstar while facing down yet another sticky rebuild situation. Hours into the 2026 WNBA free agency designation period , and about 12 hours after the official date was announced by the league amid the ongoing work on the collective bargaining agreement , the Sky dropped the first bombshell of what is shaping up to be a crazed three weeks. They traded two-time All-Star and 2024 seventh overall draft pick Reese to the Atlanta Dream for two first-round picks in 2027 and 2028.

Atlanta also received the right to swap second-round picks with Chicago in 2028. Welcome home @Reese10Angel 🍑 pic. twitter.

com/PFBpqvCDx2 — Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) April 6, 2026 Reese began writing her own exit when she criticized the direction of the franchise in a September interview with the Chicago Tribune, telling them before the season ended she was “not settling for the same s*** next year. ” She made more direct comments about veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot, who missed the majority of last season with an ACL tear. That’s a no-no in general.