Angel Reese has been discussing her desire to shape her own future. With the Atlanta Dream nearing the WNBA Finals, it seems that her choices have been beneficial. OutKick reached out to find out more about her comment on “taking control of your destiny.”
This week, Reese spoke with WSB-TV, mentioning, “I wanted to come to Atlanta.” This prompted discussion about how she arrived there and raised questions about whether she had pushed to leave Chicago.
ESPN highlighted how Reese’s impressive 49 rebounds in a game seem to bolster her profile as a significant contributor in the WNBA. However, some critiqued the narrative that she never sought a trade and didn’t shy away from challenges. There’s a fine line between formally requesting a trade and expressing dissatisfaction, and Reese definitely did the latter.
Although I’ve been blocked by Reese on social media—probably not the best start for a dialogue—I’ve written critically about both her and the often adoring coverage she receives. So, when I finally had a chance to interact with her at the WNBA Finals media day, I directly asked, “What role did you play in the trade?”
She started to respond, pausing for a few seconds, then said, “I mean, they… I was being traded.” After a moment, she added, “I found out I was being traded, and luckily enough, I was able to work with Chicago and where I wanted to go. And Atlanta also wanted me, so it made sense for both of us. And I’m happy just to be here.”
This response appeared a bit cautious. While she recognized her involvement in choosing her destination, it also implied that the trade was more of an event happening to her.
From Trading Up to Trading Away
It’s strange that the Sky decided to trade Reese at all, considering the considerable investment they made in her. They had moved up in the draft to select her, trading away future picks to do so.
The 2026 pick has become a significant element of this story. Following another trade, Minnesota ended up with Chicago’s first-round pick, which they used on Olivia Miles, this season’s Rookie of the Year.
After just two seasons with Reese, Chicago traded her to Atlanta for first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, flipping their stance on her. They went from making a substantial effort to draft her to prioritizing future draft picks over keeping her on the roster.
What led to this shift? Well, Reese had been vocal about the team’s roster.
She had declared, “We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me,” when speaking to the Chicago Tribune in September 2025.
Reese also stated her intention to stay with Chicago, but hinted that if things didn’t improve, she might have to advocate for herself and consider other options. The Sky suspended her briefly for remarks deemed damaging to the team, although Reese expressed remorse.
After her half-game suspension, she never played for Chicago again and was traded that following April.
According to ESPN, unnamed sources said Reese hadn’t asked for a trade, and there was supposedly “no contention” between the parties. Chicago purportedly collaborated with her representatives to find her a new team.
This characterization feels a bit sanitized, and given my observations about WNBA reporting often tending toward PR rather than journalism, I question how complete this account really is. What were the sources? Were they aligned with Reese, the Sky, or another party? There’s ambiguity. How much did her public critiques of the team weigh into their decision?
Reese’s Perspective on Winning
Reese has landed in a favorable spot with Atlanta. The Dream had a successful season prior to her arrival, and she’s helped them advance to the Finals this year.
She has, interestingly, compared moving to Atlanta to her transfer from Maryland to LSU, where she contributed to a national championship. I asked her how she balances pursuing victory with the desire to build a strong team over time.
“I mean, anywhere I go, I’m looking to win,” Reese replied. “I’ve won at every level I’ve been at. So I know me coming into any situation, it’s a winning mentality, no matter what it looks like and how long it takes.”
However, it’s worth noting that the Sky were successful before she joined. Chicago made playoffs for five consecutive seasons from 2019 to 2023, winning the championship in 2021, but they struggled during her two seasons.
Misconceptions About LSU’s Success
When discussing her transfer to LSU, Reese commented, “Not a lot of people expected that we were going to win the championship.” I double-checked, and actually, they had finished strong before she arrived.
LSU boasted a 26–6 record the season prior, ranking second in the SEC and holding a spot in the top ten of the AP poll. Under coach Kim Mulkey, who had an impressive championship resume, they began Reese’s first season ranked 16th.
Maryland, her previous school, was also a solid program, finishing 23-9 in her last year there. However, both programs had different standings and expectations at the time of her transfers.
Reese rightly pointed out that with a coach who believes in a winning mentality, the environment becomes conducive to success. “When you have a coach that really believes in you,” she said, “it really helps.”
Currently, Reese has transitioned into the Atlanta Dream, which is evidently a better situation for her. The circumstances indeed seem favorable compared to her time in Chicago. However, it’s curious to consider her journey and how she evaluates the nuances of winning, especially when she faces challenges.
