Overview
- At her first news conference with the Dream, Reese thanked Chicago for two seasons but said she wanted stronger teammates and a setting that pushes her to win.
- The April 6 trade sent Reese to Atlanta for Chicago’s 2027 and 2028 first-round picks, with the Dream gaining 2028 second-round swap rights, according to the AP.
- Chicago moved quickly after the deal, signing Skylar Diggins, DiJonai Carrington, and Azurá Stevens, trading for Rickea Jackson, adding Jacy Sheldon, and drafting Gabriela Jaquez at No. 5 with Latasha Lattimore and Tonie Morgan later.
- Diggins said she chose Chicago to lead and compete near home, while GM Jeff Pagliocca vowed a “win-now” approach and said the front office built a roster around her rather than asking her to carry the team alone.
- Coach Tyler Marsh pushed back on online criticism and facility talk, as analysts also questioned past trades that cost draft position, a debate sharpened by Chicago’s 10- and 13-win seasons and a new practice site still coming online.