Angel Reese reveals key factor behind trade to Dream

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Angel Reese reveals key factor behind trade to Dream

Malik Brown, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Sat, May 23, 2026 ·

3 min read

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The Atlanta Dream have gotten off to a solid start this season, and implementing Angel Reese into their system has looked flawless at times. After seeing what she accomplished with the Chicago Sky in her first two seasons, it made perfect sense as to why she would be a perfect fit for the Dream .

Before their game against the Dallas Wings , Reese shared her side of the story on why she wanted to be traded to the Dream in the offseason.

"Looking at last year and the success they had under one year with Karl [Smesko]," Reese said to reporters. "I watched Karl when he was with FGCU, and when I was at Maryland, I played against him. I was just seeing how the player development was and how he developed Naz [Hillmon] in one year, and how I wanted that.

"Just being able to find somewhere that fits with me. I knew off the court this was going to be the place for me. On the court I wanted to do something to help a team get to the championship because I've won at every level, and I want to win a WNBA championship no matter what it looks like for me."

Smesko was able to have a lot of success with the Dream last season, and his development was key. He turned Hillmon and Brionna Jones into perimeter shooters, and not only did it unlock their game, but also the Dream as a whole. That's what the plan is for Reese as well.

Right now, Reese is doing all the things the Dream need from her on the floor, as she's providing them with extra possessions with her rebounding, as well as an interior presence. On defense, she can guard almost any position and is making it hard for the opposition to get anything in the paint.

Following their win against the Wings, Rhyne Howard spoke highly of Reese and her importance on the team.

"We're gonna continue to let her know that we need her at every possession," Howard said. "I've been in her ear a lot about just staying composed because I know I'm gonna need her in the long run. So just making sure that she knows that and making sure that she knows her values to this team.  I think it's going to be super, super key to our success in the future."

As the season continues, Reese is only going to fit in better with the team, especially when they get fully healthy. What she's bringing to the floor on both sides of the ball is important now, and it's going to go a long way into how good they can become when it really matters in the end.

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