The Atlanta Dream made a few big free agency moves at the beginning of 2023, and one was bringing on 2017 WNBA Rookie of the Year Allisha Gray in exchange for the No. 1 pick in this year's draft.
The Dream has been nothing but pleased with the move. "Adding Allisha Gray is a huge step for our organization and we are all celebrating a big win today," said Dream general manager Dan Padover at the time. "She is one of the best two-way guards in the world and is in the prime of her career. The intensity in her style of play will fit perfectly here in Atlanta."
Gray has become a major part of the Dream's team. She averaged 15.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in 2024 and joined Unrivaled in its inaugural season this year. The Olympian also won the gold medal in 3x3 basketball alongside Kelsey Plum, Stefanie Dolson, and Jackie Young at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.
The details of the Atlanta Dream's 2023 trade deal realized
Back in 2023 the Wings traded Gray for the No. 1 draft pick in this year's draft as well as tonight's No. 3 draft pick. That third draft pick ultimately ended up with the Mystics after the team traded for Ariel Atkins, and the Wings drafted Paige Bueckers Monday night.
This left the Dream without a draft pick until the second round, but once they were players the Dream made it clear they meant business with their draft selections.
The Atlanta Dream didn't have a lot of draft picks in 2025
Bringing Gray into the fold meant the Dream weren't major players in tonight's WNBA Draft — the team didn't have a pick until the second round. The Dream also has a pretty full roster, which means that it will be tough for any draft pick to stay on the squad as the season begins. Ultimately, the Atlanta Dream were able to draft two players during Monday night's draft: Te-Hina Paopao in the second round and Taylor Thierry in the third.
Paopao led the nation in 3 point percentage two years ago and has continued to grow her game ever since. She can hit a floater, hit the mid-range, and knows how to lead a team as a steady presence on the court. Paopao averaged 9.4 points and 2.8 assists this season and improved her steals per game average from 0.8 to 1.1.
Thierry will bring a lot to the Dream if the team can manage to hang on to her. She was the only player to start every single game for Ohio State for the last three seasons, and she averaged 11.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals throughout her 101 starts.