With the Chicago Sky last season, Angel Reese was the star carrying the expectation of driving much of the offence. According to WNBA insider Sabreena Merchant, that is not the situation for Reese anymore with the Atlanta Dream. And for The Athletic reporter, that change of dynamic is actually the best thing that could have happened to her.
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“She’s in a situation in Atlanta where she’s not the focal point,” Merchant said on Thursday’s episode of the No Offseason podcast. “She’s always talking about how she wants to play with great players. She feels at home when she’s next to great players. And that means that less is asked of her.”
“Like she can focus on the defense and the rebounding. And not have to initiate or turn into a spot-up three-point shooter or whatever it is that was trying to happen in Chicago last season too. I think it’s great that she’s in this developmental atmosphere in Atlanta where they are trying to coax out more of her offensively.”
The Atlanta Dream is built around other players, most notably Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. Playing alongside such caliber of players has taken the pressure off of Reese.
Rather than forcing Angel Reese into unfamiliar roles, Atlanta is taking a more patient, developmental approach. They are allowing Reese to continue what she does best defensively and on the glass, while gradually expanding her offensive repertoire over time.
That patience appears to be paying off. Right now, Reese is averaging a career-high 15 points per game. She’s also delivering the relentless rebounding numbers she has built a reputation for. The numbers suggest a player who has found her environment, although for Merchant there’s still room for improvement.
The podcast host believes that Reese can still improve on her shooting and finishing inside the paint.
“We talk about the Angel efficiency argument all the time. Like she has to get better just finishing in the paint. That’s the number one thing. And everything else sort of flows from there.”
Reese is currently shooting just 41.8 percent from the field, a regression from the 45.8 percent mark she posted in 2025. A 41.8 percent clip also places her near the bottom of the league among starting interior players.
The building blocks are undeniably there. She is putting up good numbers game after game: scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence. But adding efficiency to that package would transform Reese from a very good player into a dominant one.