Angel Reese has already been shown a statement of intent by the Atlanta Dream just weeks after she was acquired in a trade from the Chicago Sky.

After spending two seasons in Chicago, Reese was traded for two first-round picks and instantly called it a "breath of fresh air" when being unveiled by her new team. Coincidentally, Reese will face the Sky in her first preseason game for the Dream on Wednesday.

Reese was suspended last season for comments made about the organization, leading to rumors of a potential rift in the locker room. However, the Dream have already picked up the fourth-year option on her rookie contract, extending her stay in Atlanta through the 2027 WNBA season.

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While Reese has no bad feelings toward the Sky, she is excited to get going in Atlanta and feels emotional that general manager Dan Padover did all he could to negotiate the trade. She said it meant a lot that he really wanted her, and appreciates "an organization that really cares about their players."

"It lowkey makes me emotional because I haven’t had this, and I’m really grateful," Reese added. The third-year player was selected seventh overall in 2024 and has led the league in rebounds since making her WNBA debut.

Reese has yet to make the WNBA Playoffs, with the Sky holding an underwhelming 23-61 record since her arrival. Reese will now represent a championship contender, with the Dream finishing 30-14 last season.

The grass may appear greener for Reese, but she is still grateful for the first two years of her WNBA career. "I'm always going to be grateful for that because I did experience a lot of great things," Reese said of her time in Chicago.

"I enjoyed being able to grow within my first two years, but I wanted more. I love to win, I love to compete and I wanted to be surrounded by people that can make me better.

"And I am not satisfied with what I am as a player, and I felt like being around these kinds of players would help me be better. I can help them in different ways to help them win, and that's all I ever wanted.

"I don't care about anything else that comes with it. I want to win and being able to come to an organization that really cared about their players."

Along with trading for Reese, Atlanta re-signed Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Brionna Jones, Jordin Canada, and Naz Hillmon this offseason. The Dream are the fourth favorite to win the 2026 WNBA Championship, behind the New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, and the Indiana Fever.

"When we went into this offseason, we had two main priorities," Padover said. "That was retain our core. And to remain opportunistic. And over the last week, I'm thrilled to say we did both. Keeping these players in Atlanta was just so important to us. And the most special thing is that they want to stay here.

"And then to have someone like Angel come in and say, 'Hey guys, I love what you're doing. I love that city. Let me jump in here.' And to have this whole group as well as the others that are here today come together to try to build something and win a championship. That's what sports is all about."

Story by Joseph McBride