In a move that caught the WNBA world by surprise, the Atlanta Dream has landed Angel Reese, and the team’s front office is already explaining how the stunning deal came together.

Angel Reese is a Dreamer! The Chicago Sky have finalized a sensational trade to send rising star Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream, with the forward set to be part of the Dream’s 2026 WNBA squad. The 23-year-old star has already made waves in women’s basketball at the college level and in the WNBA, having won the National Championship with LSU, also becoming an All-Star in every WNBA season she played in Chicago so far.

Atlanta General Manager Dan Padover and head coach Karl Smesko have shared their thoughts on Reese’s addition to the Dream squad.

“Angel is a dynamic talent and a perfect fit for what we are building in Atlanta,” Padover praised the 23-year-old before adding, “This is an exciting moment for our organization and our fans.”

Head coach Smesko said, “Angel’s ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor is elite. Her energy, toughness, and instincts will thrive in our system, and we’re excited to integrate her into the style of play we are constructing here in Atlanta.”

The trade involves Angel Reese moving to the Atlanta Dream, who give up two first-round picks while also receiving a second-round pick swap from the Chicago Sky.

Despite Reese’s exploits since being drafted 7th overall in 2024, the Sky franchise remained rooted at the bottom of the WNBA standings, winning only 23 games during her two-year stint.

In Atlanta, Reese will team up with two elite scoring machines in Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, along with veteran Brittney Griner. The 23-year-old has been part of a long-lasting rivalry with Caitlin Clark. And as fate would have it, that battle is only going to take a more central stage in the 2026 WNBA season by the looks of it.

The Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry could headline the 2026 WNBA season

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are both fierce competitors. And while the latter had the upper hand in college basketball, Clark leads Reese in the WNBA, winning four of their five matchups. With Reese now set to represent the Atlanta Dream in the upcoming season after being traded by the Chicago Sky, the released season schedules have taken on a new meaning for the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry.

While Reese and Caitlin were previously scheduled to face each other three times in the regular season, her move to Atlanta means the fans will be treated to the matchup on four occasions, with the Dream being one of the two franchises the Indiana Fever are going to face the most this regular season.

The games will have the added spice of being more competitive, as Reese is now part of a Dream roster that finished top of the Eastern Conference last year. While the Fever ended up having a deeper run in the WNBA playoffs, Atlanta had a better regular-season record.

“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 said.

Angel Reese has won a lot during her college basketball years, and while she did well at Chicago, she has already underlined her intent to compete at the highest level, speaking after the trade confirmation.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese recently shared the same court while representing the undefeated USWNT at the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, where Clark was named Tournament MVP, once again putting her in the spotlight alongside her longtime rival.

With Reese now on a competitive roster, the next chapter of her rivalry with Clark will be defined not just by individual stats but by which star can lead their team to victory when it matters most.