The Atlanta Dream announced on Monday they’re exercising Reese’s $396,282 fourth-year rookie option, securing her through 2027 after acquiring her from the Chicago Sky on April 6 in exchange for their 2027 and 2028 first-round picks.

Reese, the No. 7 pick from LSU in 2024, averaged strong double-doubles in Chicago despite team struggles and her wrist injury, but now joins a playoff-tested Atlanta squad with Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, and Naz Hillmon in a fast-paced system.

Teammates like Gray are already praising her training camp energy, and Reese vows more aggression as the team eyes a deeper playoff run, starting with a preseason homecoming against her old team Wednesday.

A Bold Bet on a Double-Double Machine

Atlanta’s front office is making it clear: they’re all-in on building around one of the WNBA’s most dynamic young forwards. By picking up the team option on Reese’s rookie-scale deal, the Dream ensure continuity through at least the 2027 season.

The move comes just weeks after the blockbuster trade that sent two future first-rounders to Chicago, signaling long-term commitment to the 23-year-old two-time All-Star and rebounding standout.

Angel Reese Salary: How Much Will She Make in 2026 From WNBA?

Angel Reese will earn a base salary of $350,692 in 2026 from her WNBA contract.

Read up on how much Angel Reese makes.

This is her third year on the four-year rookie-scale deal she originally signed with the Chicago Sky after being drafted No. 7 overall in 2024.

Under the original terms, her 2026 salary would have been around $75,000–$81,000, but the league’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (ratified in early 2026) includes significant raises and adjusts existing rookie contracts to the updated scale.

In her first two professional seasons with the Sky, Reese established herself as a force on the boards, becoming the only player in league history to average at least 12 rebounds per game in multiple seasons.

Her ability to dominate the paint, combined with improving scoring and playmaking, made her a natural fit for Atlanta’s up-tempo, position-less style under head coach Karl Smesko.

Seamless Fit in a Rising Contender

The Dream already boast a formidable core. Rhyne Howard provides elite scoring and versatility, Allisha Gray brings championship pedigree and perimeter defense, and Naz Hillmon anchors the interior with efficiency and toughness.

Adding Reese creates a frontcourt and transition attack that could overwhelm opponents.

Teammates have taken notice during early practices. Gray, in particular, highlighted Reese’s infectious energy and work ethic. “She’s bringing it every day,” Gray said. “The intensity she plays with is going to elevate everyone.”

Reese herself expressed excitement about the fresh start. “This is a new chapter,” she noted. “I’m ready to be more aggressive, play with even more force, and help this team make a serious playoff push. Atlanta feels like home already.”

Preseason Homecoming Sets the Tone

The narrative gets even better for fans: Atlanta’s preseason schedule includes a matchup against the Chicago Sky, giving Reese an immediate chance to face her former team on her new home floor. It’s a storyline tailor-made for highlight reels and emotional moments.

With the WNBA’s new CBA elevating salaries league-wide, locking in Reese at the fourth-year number represents excellent value, especially with her trajectory pointing toward max-contract territory in the near future.

If she earns All-WNBA honors this season, future earnings could skyrocket—but for now, Atlanta has secured one of the league’s brightest stars at a team-friendly rate.3

The Dream’s aggressive offseason moves—securing core pieces and swinging the biggest trade of the spring—position them as legitimate contenders in the stacked Eastern Conference.

For Angel Reese, it’s the opportunity to chase a title alongside proven winners in a system that should maximize her strengths.

Expect the “Chi-Barbie” to turn into “ATL’s Angel” very quickly. The WNBA season just got a whole lot more exciting.