Angel Reese going to the Atlanta Dream is like a parched person drinking water. “I can’t believe this is my life,” Reese said. “The paint is wide open.” At Chicago Sky, she had little help, as she led the team in scoring, rebounding and assisting per game and they won 10 games all year. But she has a flipped script in Atlanta, teaming with Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard. But it’s not a temporary move, as the Dream has secured Reese’s future beyond 2026. 

The Atlanta Dream are going all in on Angel Reese. First, they somehow manufactured a trade with the Chicago Sky, getting their best player in exchange for two first-round picks. Now, they are locking the rookie in till 2027. “The Atlanta Dream is exercising Angel Reese’s fourth-year option,” Dream PR announced. It shows that Reese is not just a temporary win-now move but a long-term franchise cornerstone for the Dream. With the two sides locked in, Reese is now focused on improving the confidence aspect of her game. 

“I think it’s just my confidence,” Reese said. “I work really hard and put the work in and am just making sure it gets out on the floor and everything that I do. Sometimes I just second guess, even just shots my teammates would tell me, like, we’re not going to pass you again, shoot the ball, so taking my corner three, take my top threes, just do what I do best. They know what I do best, but they want to continue to help me elevate.”

Reese is the best rebounder in the league and one of the best rim defenders. She has improved on her finishing close to the rim as well, which was a major point of concern in her rookie season. In shots less than 5 feet from the rim, she went from shooting 44.1% to 51.6%. However, she has still not expanded her shooting range beyond that. 

She only had 46 shots from the midrange last year, shooting at 46.1% and 16 three-point attempts, in which she averaged 18.2%. And we have seen multiple training videos of Reese trying to add shooting to her arsenal but that has not translated to games. That’s the self-confidence Reese is talking about. 

To just take the shots when she has the chance and then improve from there. Reese could complete her game if she adds a serviceable three, as defenders will treat her with more respect around the perimeter, which will open space elsewhere. It will help the Dream stretch defenses even more, allowing the likes of Howard and Gray to cut inside as well. 

It is especially important in Karl Smesko’s system, where they rely on threes as their major scoring option. Gray and Howard will be their primary shooters but even Brionna Jones averaged 1 three-point attempt per game last year. But confidence doesn’t just appear overnight, and the Dream know it. That’s where Karl Smesko steps in, making Reese’s development a primary objective at training camp. 

Angel Reese Is All Praise For Karl Smesko Ahead Of Dream Debut

The storylines could not get tastier. Reese left Chicago Sky on a sour note. The “I’m not settling for the same s— we did this year” still stings in Chicago. Courtney Vandersloot even admitted that Reese’s interview did not “feel good.” Now, they face each other in the first preseason game of the season. Ahead of that game, Reese revealed her true feelings for her new coach at the Dream. 

“Well, my experience with Karl has been amazing,” Reese said. “We work at it every day before practice about me shooting and keeping my shot on target and everything and I can tell the difference. Even my misses look like makes, and they’re close enough. But yeah, he’s been doing a lot of great things with me and sitting down individually. But I appreciate him for holding me accountable for every single possession and always getting on me and I really appreciate that.”

Karl Smesko has already established himself as one of the best coaches in the league. He was well in the running for Coach Of The Year last year after leading the Dream to a 30-14 record in his first season itself. But this pairing could be the thing that takes them to the next level

Reese could be the X-factor Smesko needs to take this team from a probable contender to a serious one. They lost to an injury-hit Indiana Fever last year who almost played on pure spirit and momentum. The Dream needed someone to break their flow but could not find that extra punch. If Reese evolves into an all-round player, she could be just that.