Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Angel Reese Addresses Chicago After Sky Trade to Wings

Originally posted on Women's Fastbreak on SI
By Grant Young | Last updated Apr 6, 2026 3:03 PM ET

One of the biggest trades in modern women's basketball history was announced on the morning of April 6, when Angel Reese was traded from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream.

In return, the Sky are receiving the Dream's first round pick in the 2027 WNBA Draft and in the 2028 WNBA Draft. Atlanta is also getting the rights to second round picks with the Sky in 2028, according to an X post from Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports.

This move makes it clear that Chicago is looking to rebuild its roster and essentially start turning this team into a playoff contender from scratch. It also means that while Reese's two-year tenure in Chicago was very successful for her individually (culminating in two WNBA All-Star appearances and leading the league in rebounding during the 2025 season), she left the city that drafted her without ever appearing in the postseason.

Reese was critical of the franchise's shortcomings to attract top talent in free agency last year, and aired this frustration out with a now notorious September 3 article from the Chicago Tribune.

Sky GM Jeff Pagliocca addressed the media less than two weeks later and asserted that he didn't intend to trade Reese, despite what she said. While maybe that wasn't his intention at the time, the bottom line is that what had been his best player has been moved for two future first round WNBA Draft picks.

Angel Reese Sends Strong Message to Chicago After Sky Trade to Wings

In the wake of this news being announced, Reese collaborated with the Dream's social media accounts for an Instagram post that featured Reese sending a spoken message to her former franchise.

"To the city of Chicago: You showed me real love from day one. Big thank you to Chicago. Always, Chi-Town Barbie," Reese said while a highlight reel of footage from her two years spent playing for the Sky were displayed. The final frame was a graphic that read, "Thank you Chicago."

The post's caption read, "An Angel’s DREAM! ️TL WHAT UP?! @atlantadream". It has been reposted on social media to multiple different accounts.

Angel Reese parting message for the fans of the Chicago Sky

ATL ✈️✈️ https://t.co/bPsQr40M1Y pic.twitter.com/bj8RuoPdxr
— Athlete Vanity (@AthleteVanity) April 6, 2026

There's still a lot that must be figured out in terms of the Dream retooling its roster for the 2026 WNBA season, since so many players are becoming free agents. But now having control of Reese puts the Dream in a terrific spot before what's sure to be an exciting season.

This article first appeared on Women's Fastbreak on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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