1 month ago
The Chicago Sky person traded prima guardant Angel Reese to nan Atlanta Dream, nan teams announced Monday.
The waste and acquisition is nan first blockbuster move of nan WNBA offseason, which is operating connected a condensed timeline aft months of negotiations betwixt nan convention and its players complete a caller corporate bargaining statement vanished past month.
Reese, 23, was a two-time All-Star pinch nan Sky, who selected her pinch nan No 7 prime successful nan 2024 draught aft a standout assemblage profession astatine Maryland and LSU. Reese’s rivalry pinch chap rookie Caitlin Clark became 1 of nan awesome storylines of that season, which group records successful viewership and attendance.
“I’m beyond grateful for nan opportunity to subordinate nan Atlanta Dream organization,” Reese said successful a connection Monday. “I’m focused connected continuing to turn my game, competing astatine nan highest level, connecting pinch nan fans, and giving everything I’ve sewage to nan Dream.”
The 6ft 3in Reese led nan WNBA successful rebounds per crippled for nan past 2 seasons, averaging a league-record 13.1 arsenic a rookie and 12.6 successful 2025. She besides led nan convention successful double-doubles (23) past play while starring nan Sky pinch 14.7 points per crippled and 3.7 assists per game. She became nan fastest subordinate successful convention history to grounds 500 points and 500 rebounds.
Reese’s relationship pinch nan Sky became strained arsenic nan squad fell retired of playoff contention for nan 2nd twelvemonth successful a row. In September, she told nan Chicago Tribune that Chicago “might person to move successful a different guidance and do what’s champion for me” if they didn’t amended their outlook. She called connected coach Tyler Marsh to coach players harder and said she didn’t deliberation nan roster was beardown capable to compete for championships.
The Sky suspended Reese for a half of a game, saying her comments were “detrimental to nan team”. She later apologized to her teammates and said nan remarks were taken retired of context.
“This waste and acquisition is designed to execute roster equilibrium and represents a awesome opportunity for each parties,” Chicago wide head Jeff Pagliocca said successful a release. “We are thankful for her galore important contributions to this convention and this game, and we cognize she will proceed to person a large effect connected nan tribunal and beyond.”
Chicago received a 2027 first-round draught prime and a 2028 second-round prime successful nan trade. Atlanta, who went 30-14 and mislaid successful nan first information of nan playoffs past year, received switch authorities to a second-round prime successful nan 2028 draft.
League owners ratified nan CBA connected 24 March. The free agency play is nether way, pinch much than 100 players connected nan market. They will use from nan caller CBA, which sets this season’s net headdress astatine astir $7m, an summation of $5.5m from past year. Average salaries will beryllium astir $600,000, pinch a $300,000 minimum, and salaries for apical players connected “supermax” contracts will scope supra $1m.
The 2 caller description teams, nan Portland Fire and nan Toronto Tempo, held their drafts past week. Teams tin make qualifying offers and designate halfway players connected Monday and Tuesday. Negotiations tin return spot from Wednesday to Friday, and contracts tin beryllium executed starting Saturday. The assemblage draught is 13 April.
Reigning MVP A’ja Wilson has already said she will beryllium re-signing pinch nan defending champion Las Vegas Aces, while Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart plan to stay pinch nan New York Liberty. Clark’s statement did not expire astatine nan extremity of nan 2025 season, truthful she remains pinch nan Indiana Fever. Napheesa Collier, Alyssa Thomas, Kelsey Mitchell and Allisha Gray are among nan different apical free agents to watch.
Training campy opens 19 April and nan play originates 8 May.
