Why was Angel Reese traded? Inside the Chicago Sky fallout and what happens next
The Chicago Sky have traded Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for two first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, but what led to the shocking decision?
Angel Reese is headed to the Atlanta Dream. Just two years after drafting Reese as a cornerstone player, the Chicago Sky made the shocking decision to move one of the league’s most productive young stars, a player who led the WNBA in rebounding and double-doubles. So, that leaves us with the question...what changed?
Breaking: Angel Reese is being traded to the Atlanta Dream. The Dream are trading a 2027 first-round pick and 2028 first-round pick to the Chicago Sky for the two-time All-Star and 2028 second-round swap rights, sources tell @kendra__andrews.
— ESPN (@espn) April 6, 2026
Prime Video first reported that the… pic.twitter.com/D0g0MvR1hm
Tension between Reese and the Sky building behind the scenes
Reese’s on-court production was never the issue. She led the league in rebounding (12.6 per game), led the Sky in scoring and assists, and has been one of the most consistent double-double threats in the league. But late in the 2025 season, frustration began to surface publicly.
Reese openly questioned the Sky’s roster construction and direction, making it clear she expected more from the organization moving forward.
“I’m not settling for the same … We have to get great players,“ Reese said. ”That’s a nonnegotiable for me.”
Those comments didn’t go over well internally. The team reportedly viewed them as “detrimental”, leading to a suspension, which is rare for a franchise player.
The Sky’s struggles only amplified the situation. Chicago finished 10–34 and missed the playoffs. They went 1–13 without Reese, highlighting her value, and failed to show clear signs of immediate contention. And Reese wanted to compete for more.
Did Angel Reese ask for a trade?
There’s no indication Reese formally demanded a trade. But in the WNBA, public pressure can carry real weight. By signaling she might “have to move in a different direction” if things didn’t improve, Reese effectively put the situation on a clock.
Rather than risk a longer-term standoff or losing leverage, Chicago chose to act early.
From a front-office standpoint, the return is significant. The Sky get two future first-round picks (2027, 2028) plus additional draft flexibility. So they’ll have a total of five first-round picks over the next three years as well as a clear path toward a long-term rebuild.
Angel Reese to Atlanta details, per @AnnieCostabile:
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 6, 2026
Sky Receives:
▪️ ATL 2027 1st-Round Pick
▪️ ATL 2028 1st-Round Pick
Dream Receives:
▪️ Angel Reese
▪️ 2028 2nd-Round Pick Swap pic.twitter.com/2mR76bserX
Why the Dream were willing to pay the price
For the Atlanta Dream, the move signals the opposite approach. Atlanta is coming off a 30-win season and already has an established core led by Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. Adding Reese gives them elite rebounding, interior presence, and another All-Star-level talent. It’s a win-now move for them, and a bet that Reese is the missing piece.
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