Reese clarifies role in trade to Atlanta amid WNBA Finals run

Angel Reese is preparing for the WNBA Finals with the Atlanta Dream, but questions remain about the circumstances of her departure from the Chicago Sky. During Friday's media availability, Reese addressed her role in the trade. She described the process as something happening to her, noting that she learned of the move and then collaborated with Chicago to select a destination. She stated that Atlanta wanted her as well, making the swap logical for both parties, and expressed happiness at being there.

Reese's comments follow an interview with WSB-TV where she discussed "taking control of your destiny" and explicitly stated, "I wanted to come to Atlanta." While some accounts have mocked the defense that she never requested a trade, Reese acknowledged making her dissatisfaction known. She previously told the Chicago Tribune in September 2025, "We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That's a non-negotiable for me." The Sky suspended her for half a game over comments they described as detrimental to the team.

The trade itself involved significant draft capital. Chicago originally traded up from No. 8 to No. 7 in the 2024 draft to select Reese, sending Minnesota a 2025 second-round pick and swap rights for 2026. That 2026 pick was later acquired by Minnesota in exchange for the No. 11 pick in the 2025 draft, which Minnesota used on Olivia Miles. After two seasons, Chicago traded Reese to Atlanta for first-round picks in 2027 and 2028.

ESPN reporters Alexa Philippou and Kendra Andrews reported that Reese had not formally requested a trade and that there was no contention between the two sides. However, the report cited unnamed sources without identifying whether they spoke for Reese or Chicago. The Sky made the playoffs five straight seasons from 2019 through 2023, winning the championship in 2021, but missed the postseason in both of Reese's seasons there.

Reese compared her move to Atlanta with her transfer from Maryland to LSU, where she won a national championship. She noted that LSU was not widely expected to win, though they entered her first season ranked No. 16 after finishing the previous year at 26-6. By contrast, Maryland had gone 23-9 and reached the Sweet 16 in her final season there. Reese emphasized that she brings a winning mentality regardless of the timeline, stating, "I've won at every level I've been at." The Dream went 30-14 the season before her arrival and have reached the Finals this year.