Angel Reese dream looks more likely to come true in Atlanta with every day

The Atlanta Dream’s offseason has been busy. They traded two future first-round picks for Angel Reese, ending a partnership with the Chicago Sky that was doomed right from the start, and are set up perfectly to build a successful team around her. Given their reactions to the Reese trade, there was never much doubt about Rhyne Howard’s and Allisha Gray’s future with the Dream. 

ESPN’s Sean Hurd reported yesterday that the Dream were finalizing a three-year deal with Gray and re-signing Brionna Jones. Kendra Andrews also reported that Naz Hillmon would sign a three-year deal with the Dream—a huge move considering that The Ringer’s Seerat Sohi reported that Hillmon’s development as a 3-point shooter was one thing that made Atlanta an interesting destination for Reese. Kareem Copeland followed that up with news that the Dream would also bring back Jordin Canada.

The Dream’s front office is slowly but surely building a roster that looks like a legitimate playoff force and maybe even a contender—which is exactly what Reese could only dream of when she was still playing for the Sky. 

Angel Reese will be surrounded by all the right players

It seems fair to assume that Howard, who is a restricted free agent, will also re-sign with the Dream. Between her, Gray, Hillmon, and Te-Hina Paopao, Reese will be surrounded by four 3-point threats. Howard’s 32.2% shooting in the 2025 season doesn’t reflect the gravity she has on that end of the floor. She just led all players at the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico in made threes. 

Bri Jones is not as natural a fit next to Reese as Hillmon, but her presence will take a lot of pressure off Reese by giving the team another prolific inside scorer with more experience. Plus, can you imagine having to box out both Reese and Jones at the same time? Reese led the league in total offensive rebounds in 2024, and Jones ranked seventh. In 2025, Jones finished first in total rebounds and Reese second. 

Plus, their offensive potential together could quickly skyrocket if one or both of them take a Hillmon-like leap as a 3-point shooter in Karl Smesko’s system. There is, after all, a video of Reese and Jones hitting a bunch of long jumpers at Team USA training camp in December. They are definitely getting more confident and comfortable on the perimeter. 

Jordin Canada rounds out that core as a championship veteran point guard and excellent perimeter defender.

It may take some time for the returning players and Reese to build chemistry, but this team is quickly looking like a potential contender or at the very least a very good playoff team.