“Atlanta also wanted me, so it made sense for both of us,” Reese said, emphasizing that she is “happy just to be here.” Her comments come as the Dream prepare for the WNBA Finals, marking a significant turnaround from the Sky organization, which traded up from No. 8 to No. 7 in the 2024 draft to select Reese, sending Minnesota a 2025 second-round pick and the right to swap first-round picks in 2026.
The trade materials for Chicago, which received first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, reflect a strategic shift after two seasons. The Sky missed the postseason in both of Reese’s years with the team, despite having made the playoffs five consecutive seasons from 2019 through 2023, including a 2021 championship. In contrast, the Dream entered the season with a 30–14 record before Reese’s arrival and have now advanced to the Finals with her on the roster.
Reese’s tenure in Chicago was marked by public tension. In September 2025, she told the Chicago Tribune that the team needed “great players,” calling it a “non-negotiable,” and hinted at a potential move if things did not “pan out.” The Sky suspended her for half a game for comments they deemed “detrimental to the team.” Although ESPN reporters Alexa Philippou and Kendra Andrews reported that Reese had not formally requested a trade and that there was “no contention,” Reese’s own account acknowledges her active participation in selecting her new home.
When asked about balancing the desire to win with staying in one place, Reese drew a parallel to her college transfer from Maryland to LSU. “Anywhere I go, I’m looking to win,” she said. “I’ve won at every level I’ve been at.” She noted that when she transferred to LSU, many did not expect a championship, though the Tigers were ranked No. 16 entering her first season and had finished the previous year second in the SEC. Reese credited coach Kim Mulkey with a “mentality of winning” that prepared her for the next level.
The Dream’s current trajectory stands in sharp contrast to the Sky’s recent history. While Chicago invested significant draft capital to secure Reese, the organization ultimately chose to trade her for future assets after two non-playoff seasons. Reese, who blocked critical media accounts on social media, maintained a cautious tone during her interview, focusing on her personal track record rather than assigning blame to her former franchise. The immediate focus now shifts to the WNBA Finals, where Reese and the Dream aim to cap a season that has validated her decision to seek a new environment.
