The Atlanta Dream entered the offseason focused on maintaining the foundation that helped the team take a step forward last season while remaining open to opportunities to strengthen the roster.
General manager Dan Padover said the organization’s top priority was bringing back the core group of players that helped establish the team’s identity.
“Our goal going into this offseason was to retain our core — Lish, Bri, Jordan, Nas and Rhyne — and we’re just thrilled to be able to do so,” Padover said. “Thrilled that they want to continue on this journey to compete for a championship with all of us.”
Several of Atlanta’s key contributors from last season entered free agency, creating uncertainty around whether the starting lineup could remain intact. Padover said keeping that group together was important as the organization continues to build toward competing for a championship.
“To be able to bring back that whole group, we think the continuity piece is going to be a real big advantage for us,” Padover said. “We’re just thrilled for us and the city that these players want to continue to compete here and try to bring this city home a championship.”
Head coach Karl Smesko said the chemistry developed last season made retaining those players a priority heading into the offseason.
“When Dan and I spoke after the year, we wanted to make an emphasis,” Smesko said. “We really liked the direction we were going. We liked the chemistry we had with our players. They enjoy playing together and they play really well together, and we thought we were building something really special.”
Smesko acknowledged that bringing the group back together required significant effort because several players from the starting lineup were free agents.
“We want everybody back. We want to run this back,’” Smesko said. “It was going to be a great challenge because all of our players at the end of the year, the starting five coming back, they all had tremendous years and they were all free agents.”
Smesko credited the players for wanting to remain part of the organization’s direction.
“Fortunately, our players recognized that they wanted another chance at this,” Smesko said. “They love Atlanta, the city, and they love Atlanta the organization, and I think they feel like we’re building something special here.”
While maintaining the core roster was the priority, Atlanta also explored opportunities to improve through trades, free agency and the draft. That process led to the acquisition of Angel Reese.
“When Angel became available, it was a no-brainer for us,” Padover said. “We’re really thrilled with that addition as well.”
Padover said discussions about improving the roster are ongoing and include evaluating multiple avenues for adding talent.
“Karl and I are talking all the time about how do we get better,” Padover said. “There’s free agency, there’s the trade market and there’s the draft. We’re always evaluating all three avenues.”
Trade discussions with the Chicago Sky progressed as the offseason developed.
“When we discussed the trade market over the offseason, Angel’s name came up,” Padover said. “The last few weeks it started to expedite, and we felt really good about the opportunity to make the trade.”
Smesko described Reese as a player whose rebounding, competitiveness and versatility add additional options to Atlanta’s system.
“Angel’s a special talent,” Smesko said. “Everybody’s aware that she’s the best rebounder and the most relentless rebounder in the league.”
Smesko also pointed to Reese’s ability to impact multiple areas of the game.
“She’s somebody that can grab and go. She can be on either side of a pick and roll,” Smesko said. “I think that versatility just makes her kind of a unique talent.”
Smesko said Reese’s skill set will complement Atlanta’s playing style.
“With her current skill set she’s going to fit in great,” Smesko said. “She makes us more versatile on offense, she’s going to get us extra possessions, and we’re going to be able to get out and run.”
As the team prepares for training camp and the start of the 2026 season, Smesko said the focus will be on continuing to grow within the system established last year.
“We felt like at the end of last year we were playing at a very high level,” Smesko said. “Now that we have more experience within the system, we expect to be able to grow this year and be even better.”
Padover said the organization believes the roster is positioned to continue moving forward.
“I think we’ve shown that we’re here to stay,” Padover said. “The players showed that they’re here to win in Atlanta and to try to go on a run this year and years in the future.”
The Dream will have another opportunity to add to the roster in the upcoming 2026 WNBA Draft, which will take place Monday, April 13 at 7:30 pm ET on ESPN. Atlanta currently holds the No. 13 pick in the first round along with selections in the second and third rounds.
Following the draft, attention will quickly shift to the court. The Dream are scheduled to open preseason play on April 29 against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena before returning home for another preseason matchup against the Washington Mystics on May 3.
For Atlanta, the offseason focus on continuity combined with key additions sets the stage for the next step in the organization’s pursuit of a championship as preparations begin for the 2026 season.
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