For two seasons, Angel Reese delivered All-Star numbers for the Chicago Sky. So when the team shipped ‘the face of the franchise’ to Atlanta, the front office was immediately put on the defensive to explain why. Finally, Chicago GM Jeff Pagliocca had to justify his decision.

“When we made that move, you guys, it was a great opportunity for both parties, both sides, and Angel did a lot of tremendous things here for a couple of years, and we’re proud of those accomplishments, and we’re looking forward to watching her career continue to unfold, and we wish her the best. But the decision was made, and we just basically became laser-focused on free agency and the draft,” came the GM’s answer.

Pagliocca’s carefully worded statement avoided any direct criticism, framing the trade as a mutual opportunity while strategically pivoting the conversation toward the team’s future-focused rebuilding efforts through free agency and the draft.

Angel Reese’s two years at Chicago were more than decent, featuring back-to-back WNBA All-Star selections and historic rebounding numbers. Though the team failed to make the playoffs in both seasons, her efforts didn’t go under the radar. She averaged 14.7 points and 12.6 rebounds per game, yet the team took the stance to replace her.

While Chicago is currently going through a huge roster reset, it has chosen to build their team around new additions like DiJonai Carrington, Jacy Sheldon, and Skylar Diggins. The Angel Reese trade also opened doors for Chicago to acquire the 2027 and 2028 first-round picks from Atlanta.

As the Sky organization moves forward, Reese is also looking to settle in Atlanta, but reports of behind-the-scenes discord suggest the separation was far from amicable.

Reese Looking Ahead To Her Life With Atlanta As Insider Points Out Discord With Reese In Chicago

“I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to join the Atlanta Dream organization. I’m focused on continuing to grow my game, competing at the highest level, connecting with the fans, and giving everything I’ve got to the Dream,” Reese had said in a formal message on how she looks at her life in Atlanta.

Seems normal, doesn’t it? But here’s the catch, things aren’t as normal as they are being made to look. Behind all this ‘facade’ lies a deeper issue that had led to this situation in the first place. A source close to the Sky has shared the anecdotes with the Daily Mail.

“There has been so much apprehension between the team and her, and everyone is happy that they don’t have to deal with her various controversies, whether she brings it on herself or otherwise.”

“There is no love lost, and when Angel returns for a game with her new team, she will be the enemy, but everyone with the Sky is very happy that she is gone. They were getting sick of her, and to make this trade was very much needed for the health of the organization moving forward,” the insider who has chosen to go anonymous adds on the matter.

Tensions between Chicago and Reese had been rising since last season, when Angel openly criticized the team’s direction and hinted at change, later stating she might need to “move in a different direction” to prioritize her career growth after the team faltered on another playoff opportunity last season.

Obviously, rumor has it that it touched a nerve with the management, who were not impressed with such public rebuke and then severed ties with her, ignoring her contributions to the program. Now that both parties have parted ways, it would be interesting to see how their meetings would go from here on out.

With both sides publicly claiming to have moved on, the true feelings will undoubtedly surface when Reese and the Dream face a rebuilt Sky team that decided it was better off without her.