Angel Reese Addresses Chicago Exit Amidst WNBA Finals Run

Angel Reese is set to compete in the WNBA Finals with the Atlanta Dream, but her departure from the Chicago Sky continues to draw scrutiny. Reese addressed the circumstances of her trade to Atlanta, stating that she had a say in her destination and is happy to be with her new team.

"I was being traded," Reese told OutKick in an interview. "And 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."

Her comments suggest a more active role in the trade than initially reported by some outlets, which characterized the move as amicable and initiated by Chicago. The Sky had previously traded up in the 2024 draft to select Reese, making her subsequent trade for future draft picks a notable development.

Before her trade, Reese publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the Chicago Sky's roster, stating in September 2025, "We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me." She also indicated a willingness to seek a new team if circumstances did not improve. These remarks led to a half-game suspension by the Sky for comments deemed "detrimental to the team." Reese did not play another game for Chicago after serving the suspension, remaining sidelined with a back injury before being traded the following April.

Reese drew parallels between her move to Atlanta and her transfer from Maryland to LSU, where she helped secure a national championship. When asked about balancing the pursuit of winning opportunities with building a team, Reese stated, "I mean, anywhere I go, I’m looking to win. I’ve won at every level I’ve been at. So I know me coming into any situation that I’m coming to, it’s a winning mentality, no matter what it looks like and how long it takes."

However, the context of her previous teams' success was also examined. The Chicago Sky had a winning record prior to Reese's arrival, making the playoffs for five consecutive seasons and winning the WNBA championship in 2021. In the two seasons Reese played for Chicago, the team missed the postseason.

Regarding her LSU comparison, Reese suggested that the team was not highly regarded when she transferred. However, records show LSU was ranked ninth nationally and finished the season prior to her arrival with a 26-6 record. Their coach, Kim Mulkey, was a national championship winner, and the team was ranked 16th entering Reese's first season.

FanDuel's opening odds for the 2022-23 season listed LSU at 50-1 to win the championship, indicating that expectations for a title were not high at the outset of Reese's tenure there. This contrasts with her statement about not being expected to win the championship upon her arrival at LSU.

Reese's decision to join the Atlanta Dream, who had a 30-14 record in the season before her arrival and reached the WNBA Finals with her, appears to be a favorable outcome. The interview highlighted the contrast between her stated