The Atlanta Dream's Angel Reese Trade Is Already Paying Off - Here's Why
We’re not even two weeks into the 2026 WNBA season, and the Angel Reese trade already looks like it has paid off.
When the Atlanta Dream acquired Reese from the Chicago Sky in April for two future first-round picks, the move was met with both excitement and uncertainty.
Reese’s relationship with Chicago had been under the microscope for months after public comments about wanting a more competitive roster and growing questions about the franchise’s direction following a brutal 10-34 season.
Reports around the league suggested tension had been building long before the deal became official.
Now, ESPN‘s Kareem Copeland is giving Atlanta early validation.
In his ranking of the WNBA’s 10 best offseason additions, Copeland slotted Reese at No. 5, arguing her impact stretches beyond raw scoring.
“The Dream are 2-1 and Reese’s impact is being felt even more on the defensive end,” Copeland wrote. “The Dream lead the league with 45.0 rebounds per game, 6.5 more than No. 2 Washington. That’s a nearly nine-rebound increase from 2025. Atlanta ranks No 2 in defensive rating (99.2) with Reese anchoring the middle. She finished off the Lynx with a game-winning block in the season opener.”
More news: Former Lottery Pick Named WNBA's Best Offseason Addition Amid Career Revival
Through three games, Reese’s numbers don’t immediately jump off the page. While she’s second in the WNBA in rebounding at 12.7 per game, she’s averaging just 10.7 points on 33.3% shooting, both career lows.
She’s also averaging 5.3 turnovers per game, the highest mark of her career and currently the most in the league.
But the trade was never just about offensive efficiency. Reese brings a level of edge to Atlanta that it lacked before.
The Dream already had scoring talent. What they needed was a relentless interior tone-setter who could create second chances, switch defensively, protect the paint, and set an emotional tone.
Reese provides exactly that. She turns missed shots into extra possessions, covers mistakes defensively, and injects a competitive intensity into a roster trying to win now.
More news: Pistons President Addresses Jalen Duren's Future After Breakout Season
More news: James Harden Makes Unfortunate NBA History After Game 1 Loss to Knicks
With Allisha Gray averaging a career-high 25.0 points per game, Jordan Canada leading the WNBA in steals at 3.3 per contest, and Rhyne Howard impacting games on both ends, Reese’s presence as an elite rebounder and defensive anchor suddenly provides Atlanta with one of the most dangerous rotations in basketball.
The Eastern Conference feels wide open this year, and Reese could be the missing piece that helps Atlanta win its first WNBA championship in franchise history.
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 7:59 PM.