Angel Reese is heading to Atlanta, and the Chicago Sky just hit the reset button on their rebuild.
The Sky traded the two-time WNBA All-Star to the Atlanta Dream on Monday, April 6, 2026, ending her two-season run in Chicago. In return, Chicago will receive two future first-round draft picks from Atlanta, a haul that closes a chapter featuring a combined 23-61 record during Reese’s tenure.
According to a team release, Chicago will get Atlanta’s first-round selections in 2027 and 2028 and will send swap rights on second-round picks in 2028 as part of the deal. In announcing the move, Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca called the trade “designed to achieve roster balance” and said it “represents a great opportunity for all parties.” Chicago Sky noted that the deal also adds valuable draft flexibility as the franchise approaches the 2026 season.
Reese, 23, arrived in Chicago as the No. 7 pick in the 2024 draft and departs as a two-time All-Star who, as a rookie, set the WNBA single-season rebounding record. ESPN reports she piled up 446 rebounds and averaged 13.1 boards per game in that record-setting campaign. Her relationship with the organization grew tense at times, and she told the Chicago Tribune she is “very vocal about what we need and what I want,” comments that were widely cited as part of the backdrop to Monday’s trade. Chicago Tribune
What Chicago Gets
The Sky walk away with future picks that give the front office room to maneuver, whether that means rebuilding through the draft, trading up on draft night, or flipping selections for veteran help. Chicago leadership framed the move as a recalibration of roster construction ahead of training camp and the May season opener, shifting the focus from leaning on one high-profile star to accumulating movable assets.
The organization also emphasized that the extra first-rounders allow it to chart a longer view, with added flexibility stretching into the 2026 and 2027 offseasons. That broader window, the team suggested on its site, is central to how the Sky intend to reshape the roster. Chicago Sky
Why Atlanta Made The Move
For the Dream, the calculus is simpler: add an elite rebounder to a roster that already has scoring and perimeter spacing. Atlanta general manager Dan Padover called Reese “a dynamic talent” and said her competitive edge lines up with the franchise’s vision. Reporting notes that her rookie deal runs through 2026 with a team option for 2027, giving the Dream control of a young frontcourt star on a cost-controlled contract for several more seasons. ESPN
Early coverage around the league has framed the swap as a straightforward exchange of present-day star power for future assets, a move that could accelerate Chicago’s rebuild while handing Reese a fresh stage in a playoff-ready market. Trade breakdowns and reaction pieces, including analysis from Front Office Sports, have zeroed in on the business logic behind the decision and the sharp divide among fans on social media over whether the Sky received enough in return.
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