Angel Reese trade grades: Who won the Sky and Dream deal?

After two seasons in Chicago, Angel Reese is headed to Atlanta to continue her WNBA career.

On Monday, April 6, Reese was traded to the Sky for a picks package. The move opened WNBA free agency with a bang, sending shockwaves through basketball circles.

While it's hard to know the exact strategy behind the trade, it likely means the Sky will look different in 2026, with a possible rebuild on the horizon. For Atlanta, the trade signals that perhaps the Dream want to win now and believes Reese can help them do that.

So, who won the Sky and Dream trade? Here are the grades for the deal, including instant analysis:

Angel Reese trade details

The Dream acquired the two-time WNBA All-Star from the Chicago Sky in exchange for the Dream’s first-round picks in 2027 and 2028. The Dream will also receive the right to swap second-round picks with the Sky in 2028.

Angel Reese trade grades: Who won the Sky-Dream trade?

Chicago Sky: C+

In 2024, Chicago drafted center Kamilla Cardoso with the No. 3 overall pick and Reese with the No. 7 overall selection. From a pure basketball perspective, there were questions about fit. How would Cardoso and Reese work together, with both primarily operating in the paint? How would Chicago's guards distribute the ball to both? Over the course of two seasons, Reese never really found her footing within the offense, despite improved stats in multiple areas. Add in a struggling offense due to multiple injuries across the team, along with inconsistent chemistry, and it's not hard to see why Reese might not have fit as well as the Sky had hoped.

Off the court, the relationship between Reese and the Sky grew strained after she made public comments about the state of the roster and her desire for more in Chicago. In December, Reese noted that she planned to play for Chicago this season, but the question remained: Would she actually be on the roster when the new season began? The answer to that question is now a resounding no. The Sky traded Reese for a picks package, arguably giving them a leg up in what should be a loaded 2027 draft class, which includes potential names like Madison Booker, Hannah Hidalgo and Audi Crooks. If Chicago can land a huge star at the top of the draft, it's a win-win.

However, for now, it's hard to understand what 2026 will look like. Chicago GM Jeff Pagliocca has repeatedly maintained that the Sky are in "win now" mode, but until free agency ends and Chicago has a full roster, that remains to be seen. The loudest question now is: are the Sky rebuilding again, or do they still believe they can compete now?

Atlanta Dream: B

The Dream trading for Reese means a few things: Atlanta sees a future for Reese, and they want to win a championship with its core sooner rather than later. Working under head coach Karl Smesko should do wonders for Reese's development. Multiple players last season, including Sixth Player of the Year Naz Hillmon, had career years under his guidance, and Reese could have the same. Smesko will likely lean into her ability to facilitate and also create for herself, as well as support growth in her shooting, especially from 3-point range. What's more, Reese should have no problem cleaning up the glass in Atlanta, a point of emphasis for the team.

In terms of Atlanta's championship hopes, if the Dream can bring back its core of Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Naz Hillmon and Brionna Jones, plus their choice at point guard (either Te-Hina Paopao or Jordin Canada), it would give the Dream a solid foundation to work with to bring a trophy to Atlanta. Giving up first-round picks in 2027 and 2028 means that the Dream won't have access to top-end talent in the draft. So, they have to make the Reese trade work and add talent around the forward and its core. Overall, Atlanta gets an immense talent that Smesko and his staff can mold, without having to give up any players in return. The Dream should feel very good about that.

Atlanta Dream roster

While it's unclear how the Dream will look in 2026, here's the team's roster as of publishing:

• Unrestricted free agents
  • C Brittney Griner
  • F Brionna Jones
  • G Jordin Canada
  • G Allisha Gray
  • F Nia Coffey
  • G Shatoria Walker-Kimbrough
• Restricted free agents
  • G Rhyne Howard
  • F Naz Hillmon
  • G Te-Hina Paopao
  • G Taylor Thierry
• Reserved free agents
  • F Sika Kone
  • F Lorela Cubaj

Projected Atlanta Dream starting lineup

Here's the projected starting lineup for Atlanta for this season:

• F Brionna Jones
• F Angel Reese
• G Allisha Gray
• G Rhyne Howard
• G Jordin Canada