Angel Reese hyped after Sky add elite star amidst WNBA playoff quest

Superstar Angel Reese has seen her Chicago Sky bring in sensible roster upgrades during this WNBA offseason.

Angel Reese hyped after Sky add elite star amidst WNBA playoff quest

Angel Reese hypes as Ariel Atkins joins her Chicago Sky

When the Chicago Sky drafted Angel Reese, their decision was based on the fact that the team would build a team around her and Kamilla Cardoso. After one season, they have now made sweeping changes as they look towards phase two of that rebuild.

Fans had their eyes and ears locked onto what the Phoenix Mercury, Indiana Fever and other teams were doing ever since this offseason started. They were the teams that suddenly seemed to be looking to go for it all.

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In all this time, the Chicago Sky did make some small moves. But those moves were by products of other trades, and it did not seem as if the team were focused on adding superstar free agents. But now it seems trades were their primary tool in this rebuild as ESPN’s Alexa Philippou had another update today.

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Breaking: 2x-time All-Star guard Ariel Atkins has been traded from the Washington Mystics to the Chicago Sky in exchange for the 2025 No. 3 overall pick. Sunday The move kickstarts a rebuild for D.C. and marks a huge get for the surging Sky.

Alexa Philippou wrote

This means the Chicago Sky gave their third overall pick in the upcoming draft to get a two-way star. It seems sensible as the players projected to go No. 3 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft did not make sense to their rotation. With Reese and Cardoso, they needed guards, whereas the better players at No. 3 were similar front court stars.

Angel Reese knows this move takes them to the next level

Rather than take a rookie and build over the years, the Chicago Sky preferred to trade for a proven star. Ariel Atkins is a WNBA champion and a two-time All-Star. But more importantly, she is a five-time All-Defensive teamer.

Therefore, she will take on the best opposing guard, which means the pressure will be less on the returning Courtney Vandersloot. She can concentrate of playmaking whereas Atkins can help shut down the perimeter. No wonder Angel Reese had this reaction on X.

Geaux skyyyy.

Angel Reese wrote

This ‘Go Sky’ chant shows how hyped she is for this move. As one of the most efficient scorers in the league, Ariel Atkins and other additions, Rebecca Allen, Vandersloot and Kia Nurse can help space the floor. That will mean Reese and Kamilla Cardoso will have more space to operate inside.

Last season, their interior was clogged as the likes of Chennedy Carter constantly drove to the rim. Now, these two big girls, who have improved their own game, can dominate the interior while their teammates do their work outside. This move has elevated the Sky to a playoff contender.