Returning stars Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Brionna Jones and Naz Hillmon welcome Angel Reese
A season ago, the Atlanta Dream looked every bit like a contender. A 30-14 record — tied for the second-best mark in the WNBA and good for third seed in the postseason — signaled a franchise on the rise, brimming with talent and cohesion.
But the abrupt first-round playoff exit lingered, casting a shadow over what was otherwise a breakthrough year.
Now, with a retooled roster and sharpened focus, The Dream enters the new campaign with something to prove — and the firepower to back it up.
‘This is where I want to be’ — Rhyne Howard leads the charge
For franchise cornerstone Rhyne Howard, the mission is both personal and collective. Long accustomed to carrying the load, she now finds herself surrounded by a deeper, more dynamic supporting cast.
“I knew we always had enough,” Howard said. “But my challenge was to get help — and they’ve done nothing but that. I’ve always been a player that had to carry the load … so to now have players around me, I can just go out and be free. I can do my job better than I ever have before.”
Howard’s confidence reflects a broader organizational shift. No longer is the Dream a one-star show — they’re building something layered, versatile, and dangerous.
“I was never worried about what anybody else had … This is where I want to be. This is what I’m going to continue to be.”
A missing piece arrives — Allisha Gray on the Angel Reese effect
The biggest offseason storyline? The arrival of Angel Reese — a relentless force on the glass and an emerging all-around threat who can defend the other teams’ bigs and lead the break.
To Allisha Gray, whose breakout season included her selection to the All-WNBA’s first team, Reese’s impact could be transformative.
“I feel like she’s the piece that we needed to get us over the hump,” Gray said. “We all know she’s one of the best rebounders in the league, but here in Atlanta, she can show she’s more than that.”
Atlanta’s system, Gray believes, will unlock new dimensions of Reese’s game — transition scoring, defensive versatility, and offensive growth beyond the paint.
“She can really spread her wings here.”
Owning the boards — Brionna Jones on dominance inside
If there’s one area where the Dream expect to overwhelm opponents, it’s rebounding. With Brionna Jones, Reese, and Naz Hillmon anchoring the frontcourt, second chances may become a nightly reality.
“We can secure all the rebounds and make sure we get extra possessions on both ends,” Jones said. “It’s going to be hard for teams to figure out — who are you going to box out? What are you going to give up?”
It’s a problem few teams are equipped to solve. And Atlanta plans to exploit it relentlessly.
“Between me, Angel, and Naz… there’s going to be very few rebounds for other teams.”
Growth mode — Naz Hillmon expands her game
For Naz Hillmon, evolution is the priority. Already known for her physicality and energy, she’s now focused on refining the finer points — shooting, decision-making, and offensive versatility.
“The biggest thing is continuing to grow,” Hillmon said. “I want to get to the point where it’s not even a thought … where teams respect my shot enough that I can get to the basket and make plays from there.”
It’s that kind of internal development—paired with high-profile additions—that could elevate Atlanta from contender to champion.
From promise to proof
The pieces are in place. The expectations are clear. And the memory of last season’s early exit still lingers.
But this version of the Atlanta Dream isn’t dwelling on what went wrong — it’s focused on what’s next.
A deeper roster. A freer superstar. A dominant frontcourt. A potent backcourt And a team-wide belief that the climb isn’t finished.
The Dream aren’t just chasing just wins anymore.
They’re chasing championships.