Angel Reese is in the WNBA Finals, but her Chicago exit raises questions about her winning mentality

Angel Reese is heading into the WNBA Finals with Atlanta after being traded by Chicago, and her comments about choosing Atlanta have renewed debate over her role in leaving the Sky. Asked directly about the trade, she said Chicago was trading her, but added that she was able to work with the team on her preferred destination and that Atlanta wanted her.

The article traces the dispute to Reese’s public criticism of Chicago’s roster in September 2025 and her suggestion that she might move on if things did not improve. The Sky suspended her for half a game over comments it said were detrimental to the team; she apologised, then missed the rest of the season with a back injury. Chicago later traded her for first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, while earlier draft deals had cost the Sky and Minnesota future picks, including the selection used on rookie Olivia Miles. ESPN reporters said, citing unnamed sources, that Reese had not requested a trade and that Chicago worked with her representatives to find a new team.