Hotlanta has been on fire, and now that it’s matched up with Angel Reese, the temperature just went up.
The power forward is joining the Atlanta Dream after parting ways with the Chicago Sky, and the switch couldn’t be more headline-worthy.
During the 2025 season, Reese publicly criticized the Chicago Sky’s management, coaching, and roster, citing, “I’m not settling for the same s— we did this year. We have to get good players. We have to get real players. That’s a non-negotiable for me.” A sentiment that got her suspended for half a game for making comments considered “detrimental to the team.”
Angel has “clocked it” a few times over when addressing the Chicago front office, which, to her defense, was publicly understood more often than not. It wouldn’t be too far off to assume that her outspokenness probably galvanized the trade. Although the Chicago Sky stated that Reese had not initiated the trade.
The 2024 no. 7 overall pick in the WNBA managed to average 14 points and 13 rebounds per game for Chicago and was traded in exchange for Atlanta’s 2027 and 2028 first-round picks. It couldn’t be more obvious that the Windy City franchise will face an uphill battle finding anyone comparable to this colossal athlete.
We’ve gotten to the point where we see that she may have gotten too big for the Chi and there’s a palpable consensus that this move transcends basketball.
What’s now clear is that Reese is finally taking the reigns in a city that matches her fly…in a multitude of ways.
Here, she joins Rhyne Howard, Britney Griner, and Allisha Gray, where she can be the rare 4th gemstone in Thanos’ gauntlet. Distinguished enough to stand out, yet now a part of something greater than herself.
The even bigger takeaway could be that ATL hasn’t had a sports personality that carries the star power that she does since mmm…Deion Sanders? Michael Vick? Chicago couldn’t find a place for the light she generated on or off the court. Atlanta provides a market that will embrace her openly and boldly. Not one that would keep her at arm’s length.
The Bayou Barbie is touching down in a moment where Atlanta’s momentum is on a serious uptick.
With growth at an all-time high—infrastructure expanding, population rising, and urban development reshaping the city—Angel can claim a seat at the table, one where her voice matters and she is surrounded by peers and possibilities that match her evolution.