Angel Reese reportedly branded as Sky ‘enemy’ following blockbuster Dream trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The dust is still settling on the Chicago Sky‘s decision to trade franchise player Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream on Monday for two future first-round picks.
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The move comes four weeks before the 2026 WNBA season begins and several months after Reese began to express discontent with the Sky’s direction as a franchise. The Sky posted just a 10-34 record in 2025, while the Dream had the league’s third-best record at 30-14.
A trade to the Dream unmistakably affects the two-time rebounding champion’s odds of competing for a title in 2026.
MORE: Angel Reese timeline of drama with Sky, from Caitlin Clark feud to Courtney Vandersloot call out
Meanwhile, back in the Midwest, Reese’s former teammates reportedly are “so relieved” that the trade has been completed.
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A Daily Mail exclusive on Wednesday claims that when Reese returns to Chicago on June 9 for her first competitive game at Wintrust Arena since the deal, the two-time All-Star will be greeted as an “enemy” with a chorus of boos.
The Sky and the Dream will play a preseason game in Chicago before that, on April 29.
“Everyone is happy that they don’t have to deal with her various controversies, whether she brings it on herself or otherwise,” the Mail’s source said. ‘There is no love lost and when Angel returns for a game with her new team, she will be the enemy.”
The Mail further reported that a Sky source feels the trade “was very much needed for the health of the organization moving forward.”
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Earlier this week, ESPN’s Kendra Andrews and Alexa Philippou reported that there was “no contention” between Reese and the Sky, and amicable discussions led to her trade to the Dream.
In addition, Andrews and Philippou said the Sky’s roster will undergo a revamp and look “completely different,” meaning many players who may have had a problem with Reese may not be long for the Windy City anyway.
The truth of the matter probably lies somewhere in the middle. Reese wants to win and compete at the highest level, and the Sky were not affording her a chance to do that. Chicago knew its competitive timeline was not likely to match Reese’s personal ambitions, irrespective of its unfortunate history of falling out with star players.
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Whether you believe Reese’s time in Chicago ended amicably or resentfully, one thing is for sure: Reese is excited to join Atlanta.
