Three WNBA top teams confirmed disinterest in trading for Angel Reese

“Angry Angel”? Top WNBA Teams Decline to Play Cupid, Angel Reese Left Waiting

If you ever imagined trade rumors were like high school prom—heartfelt letters, pretty dresses, and hopeful heads—Angel Reese might feel like she was stood up at the dance.

Angel Reese, the rebounding beast for the Chicago Sky, lamented this season that she “won’t settle for the same s—” and that the team better get some serious talent—or she’ll consider heading elsewhere.

Sky executives (and perhaps some fans) responded… not with roses, but with concern, suspension, and silence.

The Rejected Proposal

Sources close to the situation indicate that Reese, a two-time All-Star and the league’s leading rebounder with an average of 12.6 boards per game, was the subject of trade discussions. However, despite her impressive statistics and potential, top teams have chosen not to engage in negotiations.
Reuters

Emotional Fallout

The rejection has taken a toll on Reese, who expressed her disappointment through a heartfelt social media post:

“I gave my all, and it wasn’t enough. To be overlooked by those I admired is a pain I can’t describe.”

Her words resonate with fans and analysts alike, highlighting the emotional impact of the situation.

Enter the Ghosted Invitees

According to trade‑market gossip, several teams once rumored to be interested have quietly backed off. Veteran squads like the Aces and Liberty have reportedly passed, citing that their cores are already deep enough, or that bringing in Reese might cost them too much in draft picks or disrupt chemistry.
Sportskeeda

Imagine being Angel Reese right now: you send out feelers, drop some hints, show off your stats, and instead of “yes,” you get ghosted.

The Break‑Down (in Spirit)

Rumor has it Reese isn’t exactly dancing in the locker room these days. She hasn’t broken down in public tears (at least, nothing verified like that) but signs point to frustration: comments, criticism, injuries, missed games.

Some people speculate she’s done shaking hands with empty promises. Others say she’s quietly steeling herself—not just to win games, but to win respect.

Chicago’s “Dance Card”

GM Jeff Pagliocca, meanwhile, is still saying Reese is part of the future for the Sky. “Until I hear differently,” he said, “that’s the direction we’re moving in.”

If this were high school, that’s like the guy who says he’ll be in the prom photos, even though nobody’s asked him to go to prom. It’s a statement of hope, or possibly denial.

Why the Silence from Others?

Risk / Reward: Some teams might see Reese as a high‑reward play, but also high risk—because you’d likely have to pay heavily in assets or disrupt a stable locker room.

Veteran Cores: Teams with established stars might not want a personality that demands change—or they believe they’re already good enough.

If This Were a Movie…

Picture this: Angel Reese, spotlight on her. Fans whisper, “Will she stay? Will she go?” She looks at her phone: no new offers. Repeated knocks on the door — silence. She stands there in her uniform, stats blazing, reputation building. And what does she do? She walks forward.

Chicago Sky make ‘fishy & weird’ decision to leave Angel Reese future unclear amid $340m tournament announcement

Despite their season ending, the Chicago Sky continue to make headlines.

The team announced on Monday that Angel Reese, Courtney Vandersloot, and Ariel Atkins will not be doing previously agreed-upon exit interviews, sparking rumours about their futures.

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Angel Reese had her exit interview cancelled by the Chicago SkyCredit: GETTY

What are WNBA exit interviews?

Exit interviews are media availability sessions held at the end of the season.

It allows players, coaches and executives to speak with reporters, usually for the last time until training camp.

Interestingly, of the three players whose interviews have been cancelled, Reese is the only player who is still under contract for Chicago.

Vandersloot and Atkins will both become free agents, with Vandersloot expected to re-sign.

Jeremy Beren of Yahoo Sports broke the news on X on Monday, claiming the cancellation of these interviews could pave the way for speculation to start all over again, particularly around Reese.

“The exit interview reversal potentially points to significant developments regarding these three players,” he wrote.

“General manager Jeff Pagliocca previously indicated that a healthy Vandersloot will have a role on Chicago’s 2026 team — but Reese, with significant trade value amid her unhappiness with the Sky organization, may not.”

While exit interviews are not mandatory, the abrupt cancellations have fans speculating that it could spark a rebuild in Chicago after finishing the 2025 season with a 10-38 record, tied for the worst in the league.

“It’s one thing not to do exit interviews, like the Liberty who opted out. It’s another to operate as if you are and then pull out with no notice and not allow reporters an opportunity to ask end-of-season questions, especially when it comes to team leaders,” one user wrote on X.

“This is fishy & weird,” another wrote.

Angel Reese played and won the Unrivaled championships with Rose last yearCredit: GETTY

It was a season to forget for Reese and the Sky this yearCredit: GETTY

The cancellation of these interviews comes just weeks after Reese signalled her unhappiness at the Sky.

The 23-year-old launched a furious rant about the standards in the franchise before criticising her teammates.

She later apologised for her comments, but whether Reese actually sees her future in Chicago has been unclear ever since.

Reese and WNBA stars set to compete in Unrivaled

Fortunately for Reese, she will return to a place of success soon.

The forward will play in the second edition of Unrivaled, the three-on-three off-season league that she won last year with her team, Rose.

And the competition is set to be bigger and better in 2026, after a new round of investment valued the competition at $340 million.

Angel Reese issues apology after criticizing Chicago Sky and teammates
“This valuation and additional funding expedite [Unrivaled’s] growth strategy,” Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell told ESPN.

“Because we outperformed our revenue expectations in season one by almost doubling it, it allows us to move a bit quicker.

“It’s become a three-year roadmap [instead of five]. In year two, we are really going to double down on the athletes.”

The average salary for players last year was estimated to be $222,222.

This is a pay package that is higher than many WNBA contracts.

Investors for Unirvaled’s inaugural season included Coco Gauff, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Carmelo Anthony and Stephen Curry.