Angel Reese trade grades: Dream boost title chances, Sky pick up draft capital originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Bayou Barbie is headed down south.
The Dream made a splash on Monday, acquiring Sky supernova Angel Reese in a stunning trade with the Sky. The deal spelled an end to Reese’s two-year stint in the Windy City. Reese’s time in Chicago was filled with rebounds, deflections and highlights. It was also filled with losses, although Reese was hardly to blame for the sour results.
She’ll get a fresh start in Atlanta, joining forces with a cadre of All-Star-caliber talent in Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard and Brionna Jones. Atlanta fell one game short of the Eastern Conference Finals in 2025. With Reese in transit, Karl Smesko’s side has its sights set on a championship.
With that, here’s a look at how the Dream and Sky fared with their returns in the Reese deal.
MORE: Sky deal star forward Angel Reese to Dream in blockbuster trade
Angel Reese trade grades
First, let’s take a look at what the Dream are sending in the other direction to land Reese:
Dream receive:
- F Angel Reese
- 2028 second-round pick swap
Sky receive:
- 2027 first round pick
- 2028 first round pick
MORE: Where Gabriela Jaquez, Lauren Betts rank in latest WNBA mock draft
Atlanta Dream grade: A+
The Dream picked up a dazzling gem stone in Reese, who took major leaps forward as a play-initiator during her second season in the Windy City.
Reese still has her flaws. She remains a below-average finisher at the rim and doesn’t provide much in the way of floor-spacing.
Still, she’s established herself as one of the WNBA’s most consistent performers since entering the league. Her rebounding should flourish for an Atlanta team that ranked second in the league in three-pointers attempted last season.
Reese’s growth as a ball-handler and playmaker make her an ideal counterpart to Gray and Howard, the former of whom landed her first All-WNBA appearance in 2025. Her finishing improved markedly compared to her rookie season. The Dream’s shooting prowess should open up lanes for Reese to attack, leading to easier looks at the basket.
Reese also figures to serve as a key cog in a defense that surrendered the third-fewest points per game in the WNBA last season. At their best, Gray, Howard and Jordin Canada are WNBA All-Defensive Team candidates. Reese — blessed with switchability, quick hands and strong positioning — should shine alongside competent defenders.
All told, Atlanta hit a home run with the acquisition of Reese. Still locked to her rookie deal, she already has proven herself to be a winning player at this point in her career. She’ll get a chance to prove it with a contender in 2026 and beyond.
Chicago Sky grade: D
The Sky have been in basketball purgatory in the years since they claimed their first WNBA title. Reese’s trade brings them no closer to salvation.
Reese was the only redeemable thing about Chicago’s roster in the past two seasons. Her departure condemns the Sky to another rebuild timeline. Expect other players — including Kamila Cardoso — to be bandied about in trade talks throughout the season.
With Reese in the picture, Chicago figured to be one of the W’s worst sides in 2026. Its lackluster backcourt and lack of shooting wreaked havoc during a dour 2025 campaign that saw the Sky post the joint-worst record in the league.
Reinforcements could be on the horizon during the WNBA Draft — UCLA guard Kiki Rice and LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson are likely to be in contention for Chicago’s No. 5 pick. Still, the road back to contention looks long and fraught for the Sky.
To that end, picking up draft capital is nice — even if it is one of the last picks of the first round. Reese’s departure does set Chicago on a collision course for the lottery, a welcome sight with Juju Watkins potentially declaring come next April.
Draft picks are only as good as the franchise that uses them, though. As Bec Allen’s recent comments indicate, the Sky’s front office and ownership is inhibiting the team from finding success. Unless something drastically changes on that end, Chicago will be in this same space one year from now, even if it does have Watkins under its spell.
About the Author
