5 Atlanta Dream who definitely won't be back next season

The Atlanta Dream won their final three regular-season games to take the eighth and final playoff spot. It was shocking as it seemed everyone favored the Mystics or the Sky down the stretch. Atlanta proved them wrong, but it meant a date with the top-seeded Liberty in the first round of the playoffs.

New York swept the Dream 2-0 and look like title favorites. The defeat left Atlanta thinking about their future. They have made two straight playoff appearances, but haven’t had a winning regular season record since 2018. The Dream must shake things up if they want to be serious contenders.

The cap is expected to rise significantly in 2026 and that creates plenty of uncertainty this offseason. Free agents will only want to sign one-year deals, and there could be plenty of movement as most players are on expiring contracts. Here is a look at Atlanta’s most likely players to depart, and why each will likely be wearing a different uniform next season.

5. Tina Charles

The legend sat out in 2023 before coming back with a vengeance. Charles averaged 14.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.9 steals in 29.7 minutes per game.

She is an eight-time All-Star and former MVP. There is no questioning the 35-year-old’s talent, but how much longer does she want to compete? If Charles only plans on playing one or two more seasons, she may want to join a contender and chase that elusive ring.

The 6’4 forward is embracing every moment of her WNBA career. She can still put up numbers, but it is fair to question how much longer she has left.

There will be plenty of interest in Charles this offseason, and expect her to select whatever team she wants. Does she desire playing with the Dream or chasing a championship? She certainly could be elsewhere in 2025.

4. Nia Coffey

Coffey is under contract for $150,000 in the 2025 season, but she averaged just 3.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 13.3 minutes per game this season. The 29-year-old forward saw the fewest playing time since her rookie campaign in 2017 and shot just 32.4 percent from the field.

Coffey was the Dream’s fifth-highest-paid player but finished 13th in minutes per game. There will be a massive reset in 2026 as the cap rises significantly, but both sides may look to split this offseason. The veteran will be searching for more playing time, and the Dream are eager to find a better fit on their roster.

Making this trade won’t be easy, but several teams will try to shake things up. Coffey shot over 40 percent from 3-point range and blocked 1.2 shots per game in 2023. If a team believes in a bounce back, they may pull off this deal.

3. Lorela Cubaj

Cubaj can become a free agent this offseason, but the Dream have the right to make her a reserve player. It would give Atlanta exclusive negotiating rights and likely keep her on the Dream for at least the 2025 season.

Cubaj averaged just 7.9 minutes per game this season and appeared in only 28 contests. She is only 25 years old and played 10.8 in each of their two playoff contests. Do the Dream see the 6’4 forward as a long-term piece? She had a negative win shares per 48 minutes in two of her first three WNBA seasons, but there was improvement in 2024.

If Cubaj wants more money in free agency, it may be best for both sides to part ways.

2. Aerial Powers

Powers had a disappointing first season with Dream. She left the Lynx after falling out of their rotation but was limited to just 17 games. She did not play after the Olympic break because of a calf injury. Even before things did not go to plan.

Powers averaged 8.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.9 steals in 17.9 minutes per game. She was the fourth-highest-paid player but played the seventh-most minutes each night. Powers was a bench player and produced well below her 2022 form.

The 5’11 guard turns 31 in January and heads into unrestricted free agent. The Dream were 7-10 with Powers in the lineup, but they may look to move on after a disappointing season.

1. Cheyenne Parker-Tyus

Parker-Tyus was the Dream’s highest-paid player this season, but she averaged the sixth-most minutes per game. She was under 20 a night and primarily came off the bench after an All-Star campaign in 2023. The 32-year-old’s production dipped and an ankle injury ended her season early.

Parker-Tyus is a free agent, and the Dream found a better mix down the stretch. They were 9-16 with her in the lineup and 6-9 without. The franchise should not win a higher percentage of their games without their highest-paid player.

The Atlanta Dream have a blossoming star in Rhyne Howard to build the franchise around. Alisha Gray and Jordin Canada will remain key pieces. Can the Dream find a way to make this group a serious title contender? It will mean shaking things up and parting ways with several talented players to find superior fits. Stay tuned to see what the front office can make happen this offseason.