The Chicago Sky, in a shocking decision, traded forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) for two first-round picks on Monday, April 6th.
Key reasons for the trade include on-court issues, public criticism, roster and strategy reset.
Reese has mentioned issues with spacing and efficiency with forward Kamilla Cardoso. Additionally, after she was suspended for “statements detrimental to the team” during a game against the Las Vegas Aces, Reese was critical of the organization’s direction during the situation.
Bryce Arnold, a senior exercise science major, occasionally follows the WNBA.
“I wasn’t surprised [by the trade],” Arnold said. “She kind of was beefing with people from the Sky, so her splitting is kind of good because she can grow from it and be better.”
As for the main reason for the trade, the Chicago Sky missed the playoffs the last two seasons. The Chicago Sky traded Angel Reese for two first-round picks in the 2027 and 2028 drafts. First-round draft picks are essential because they are considered to be the top picks of that member class. Oftentimes, teams rebuild for younger players and draft flexibility, so it is likely that the Chicago Sky is looking for that.
Abbie Morris, a sophomore elementary major and intramurals player, is a WNBA fan who is wary of the trade.
“She’s a good player, but the way she holds herself could be bad for the locker room and bad for the integrity of the team,” Morris said.
One of these locker room incidents occurred back during Reese’s rookie season, in which head coach Teressa Weatherspoon’s tenure in Chicago ended, as she lost control of the locker room, and catered towards the needs of the few, which many interpreted as Reese and Weatherspoons favortism towards the forward.
In 2025, Reese also remarked that the team needed “great players” and that she planned to leave if the team did not improve, frustrating many of the veteran players on the Chicago Sky.
Peyton Gaines is a sophomore psychology major and an occasional basketball intramural player, who has followed the Angel Reese trade.
“I was surprised at first, but then I thought it would be a good move for her,” Gaines said.
Reese, a forward, is a two-time All-Star and was the seventh overall pick only two years ago, and has continued to improve in each of her two seasons, being the only player in WNBA history to average twelve rebounds per game in a season, and doing so in both of her two seasons in the league. She also led the league in double-doubles with 23 of them.
What makes this so special is that rebounds are rare and hard to achieve. Reese also has an aggressive and high-motor playing style that allows her to rebound.
“I think she could go back to how she was [playing] at LSU, she won some championships there, so it could maybe be a reset for her,” Arnold said.
“I feel like [the trade] could help her be a more powerful forward in the game,” Gaines said.
Atlanta finished third overall in the league, yet fell in the first round of the playoffs last year due to a stagnant second-half offense, key turnovers, and an inability to close out games.
“I think her rebound shots would be good for [Atlanta],” Gaines said.
Last season, Atlanta had a total of 36.6 rebounds, making it first in the team rankings. Chicago was second, with 35.5, with Reese probably being a big part of those rebounds.
Atlanta has many star players like forwards Naz Hillmon and Brionna Jones, with whom Reece is expected to mesh well.
Many fans are excited to see how Reese adjusts to the Dream.
“I would say I’m pretty excited,” Gaines said. “Hopefully, I’ll go see her skills in a game or two, but we’ll see.”
On the contrary, some fans are more hesitant because Atlanta traded draft picks for her.
“I’m kind of nervous because we traded two picks for her,” Arnold said.
Some students are also concerned about how her character will affect the team.
“I’m not very excited because I’m just scared for the integrity of the team due to actions in the past by her,” Morris said.
With the performance of the Atlanta Dream in 2025, only time will tell if the elite rebounder will help Atlanta get over the hump, while Chicago needs to make sure they prepare for a full rebound with their acquisitions in the Reese trade.