Chicago’s questionable team-building decisions struck again, this time shipping star Angel Reese to Atlanta just two years into her career. But the trade itself was quickly overshadowed by the fireworks at her introductory press conference.

During the conference, Howard was asked about what it has been like going against Reese in the past. And it’s safe to say the Dream guard didn’t hesitate to share her mind.

“Any time Angel’s been on the other side of the court, I think I’ve had about 30,” she said.

If you caught this interview, it would have felt like any other light-hearted moment between teammates. However, the numbers do back up her claim.

In the 2025 WNBA season, Howard faced Angel Reese and the Sky twice. And in those games, she averaged 29 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, while handing Chicago a loss in both matchups.

Compared to Howard, Reese only averaged 11 points in those same games.

So this wasn’t just playful confidence, it was a statement by the 6-foot-2 star. And let’s be real for a moment, defending one of the most dangerous perimeter threats in the league isn’t everybody’s cup of tea.

Now, if you have the ability to read between the lines, you already know that comment wasn’t just about Reese.

By saying she consistently scored “about 30,” Howard essentially pointed out how easily she solved the Sky’s defense. Why? Because instead of building their team around Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky failed to maximize her impact. And that resulted in the franchise recording one of their worst seasons after 34 total losses.

Also, it raises a bigger question: if Reese was the most impactful piece Chicago had, and even that didn’t pose much of a challenge, what does that say about the rest of the roster?

Even though Howard didn’t say all that outright, she didn’t really have to.

But with the 2026 season around the corner, let’s not talk about the what-ifs of the past, because Reese has made it clear this time things will be different.

Angel Reese might finally unlock her full potential with the Dream team

Sitting alongside her new teammates at the introductory presser, Reese didn’t hold back her emotions while talking about joining this Atlanta squad, one that may not be the iconic ‘Dream Team,’ but still feels like a dream come true for her.

“Being able to come to an organization that really cared about their players… Being able to talk to players that genuinely know what I am and who I am as a person, but also as a player, is like a breath of fresh air,” she said. “It lowkey makes me emotional because I haven’t had this.”

The Atlanta Dream secured Angel Reese in exchange for their future first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, along with a 2028 second-round swap. And the 6-foot-3 star is nothing but “grateful” for it. Why? Because while there is no denying that she experienced significant growth with the Sky, Reese clearly expressed that she was ultimately searching for more.

And with the Dream, she found that.

“Being around these kinds of players would help me be better and I can help them in different ways to help them win. And that’s all I ever wanted. I don’t care about anything else,” she further added.

After two years of carrying the load for the Chicago Sky, Reese will now walk into a roster where she doesn’t have to do everything on her own. Instead, she becomes part of a core that already knows how to win games.

For starters, the offensive setup in Atlanta is tailor-made for her growth. With elite perimeter threats like Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray stretching the floor, defenses can no longer collapse inside every time Reese touches the ball. That means more space in the paint, cleaner looks, and far less physical wear from constant double teams.

But the biggest shift might come under head coach Karl Smesko.

His system thrives on spacing, movement, and efficiency, which could unlock a completely new dimension in Angel Reese’s game. After already showing growth as a passer, she could take on an even bigger role as a facilitator, operating from the high post.

If that happens, the same player who once found herself on the wrong end of Howard’s “30-point nights” could now be the reason those performances finally translate into championship titles.