The Atlanta Dream aren't quite ready to have 2027 conversations yet — at least, not out in the open — but the fact that they're headed to the WNBA Playoffs isn't stopping many from looking ahead.
The Dream is heading to the Finals without Brionna Jones, who missed most of the 2026 injury due to injuries. Though many on the team have described Jones as an anchor who has made the most of her role as a kind of player-coach, her absence allowed Angel Reese to prove she can step in and be the player the Dream needs. In fact, Reese and Naz Hillmon have become a dominant backcourt duo this season, something that wouldn't have happened if Jones had been available to play.
The Dream has three players on million-dollar contracts this season: Jones, Allisha Gray, and Rhyne Howard. They'll likely end up negotiating with Reese for a monumental contract extension, which means they may run into money problems sooner than later. Jones, who was drafted in 2017, still has plenty of time to play in the league, and there are a few teams that could both meet that million-dollar contract and make her a crucial piece of their starting five.
The Portland Fire is one of those teams. The Fire, who made their debut this season and finished ranked ninth overall, is a strong, but young, team. Portland built its first-year roster around Bridget Carlton, the team's top pick in the expansion draft, and their starters also regularly included Carla Leite, Sarah Ashlee Barker (who tore her ACL in July), Emily Engstler, Megan DiLeo, and Nyadiew Puoch.
If there's one area where the Fire could use a little more support, it's in rebounding. Jones may not have seen a lot of action this season, but her rebounding numbers have been in the top 30 of the league's totals more often than not. She's also defensively strong, and would bring those skills and veteran leadership to a team that needs both.
Joining the Fire would be a big jump in a lot of ways. In addition to being clear across the country, Jones would need to become acclimated to Alex Sarama's CLA system, and she'd need to adjust to a team that often rotates players on and off the floor more quickly than most. The Fire certainly needs to add a strong post player to the team's talented roster, and Jones just might be one who meets the criteria the team really needs.
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