Following a stunning trade to the Atlanta Dream that saw her salary surge by 460%, Angel Reese has broken her silence on the move that’s shaking up the WNBA.
With the transformative Collective Bargaining Agreement, her salary skyrocketed, prompting the start of a new era. The former Chicago Sky star, who previously earned $75,000, will now earn a whopping $350,000.
Following the trade announcement on Monday, March 6, the 23-year-old took to her X to express her excitement, describing the move as a dream: “An Angel’s DREAM💭 🅰️TL WHAT UP?! @AtlantaDream!” she wrote. And of course, a move from a Chicago team that finished 10-34 last season to an Atlanta Dream team that went 30-14 sure looks like a dream come true.
Top Stories
An Angel’s DREAM💭
🅰️TL WHAT UP?! @AtlantaDream pic.twitter.com/obtqyhl35e— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) April 6, 2026
Reese spent what would be her first two WNBA seasons with the Chicago Sky after they selected her as the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. During her two-year stint in Chicago, she was quick to establish herself as a franchise cornerstone and a league-wide star. She earned All-Star honors and led the WNBA in rebounding in both seasons. However, despite her individual brilliance, the team struggled collectively. They posted a combined 23-61 record over that stretch and missed the playoffs in both campaigns.
Angel Reese had previously gone on record saying she wouldn’t mind spending her entire career with the Chicago Sky, provided the organization improved its roster. But judging by the numbers across those two seasons, that expectation was clearly not met. Now in the Atlanta Dream with players like Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Naz Hillmon, it’s safe to say she’ll finally get to play with the best.
As for what it took to make the deal happen, Atlanta had to let go of their 2027 and 2028 first-round picks. They also agreed to a 2028 second-round pick swap.
That investment may already be yielding returns, as the franchise saw a massive surge in attention within hours of the announcement. They gained over 18,000 new followers on Instagram. Reese’s No. 5 Atlanta Dream jersey also quickly sold out, and ticket demand spiked almost instantly. In fact, for their home opener against the Las Vegas Aces, they sold more tickets in the first few hours after the trade than in the entire period leading up to it.
The Chicago Sky have, however, fallen on the negative end of this attention, receiving heavy backlash from fans. In fact, they lost over 11,000 followers in the same time frame that the Atlanta Dream gained more than 18K.
The trade leaves the Chicago Sky banking on future draft assets, a high-risk strategy that General Manager Jeff Pagliocca is betting will “achieve roster balance” and eventually satisfy a skeptical fanbase.
Angel Reese Grateful for Atlanta Dream’s Move Hailed As a Defining Moment for the Franchise
In an official statement shortly after the trade was announced, Angel Reese expressed gratitude for the opportunity. “I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to join the Atlanta Dream organization,” she said. While she has embraced the move with clear excitement, reports indicate that Reese did not request the trade. Instead, it was a deliberate decision by the Chicago Sky to revamp their roster; the move was amicable.
Regardless, Reese has fully bought into the move. She will now focus on continuing to grow her game and giving everything she has to the Dream. Her arrival has also been met with strong optimism within the organization. Dream’s general manager, Dan Padover, described the deal as an exciting moment for both the team and its supporters. “Angel is a dynamic talent and a perfect fit for what we are building in Atlanta,” he said. “She has already proven herself as one of the most impactful players in the league, and her competitiveness, production, and drive to win align seamlessly with our vision.”
Last season, the team finished with a 30-14 record before falling to the Indiana Fever in the first round of the playoffs. Hopefully, Reese’s addition provides the extra edge needed to push deeper this time around.
Written by
Edited by
Pranav Venkatesh