Angel Reese Traded To Los Angeles Sparks In WNBA Blockbuster Deal
Angel Reese Traded To Los Angeles Sparks In WNBA Blockbuster Deal...
The WNBA landscape shifted dramatically today as former LSU star Angel Reese was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in a multi-team deal. The move, finalized early Sunday morning, sends the 2024 NCAA champion and 2023 Final Four Most Outstanding Player to the West Coast just weeks before the 2026 season opener.
Reese, who was drafted second overall by the Chicago Sky in 2024, becomes the centerpiece of a Sparks team rebuilding around young talent. In exchange, Chicago receives two first-round draft picks and veteran guard Lexie Brown. The Indiana Fever, who facilitated the trade, acquire Chicago's 2027 second-round pick.
The trade comes after weeks of speculation about Reese's future in Chicago, where she averaged 14.2 points and 9.8 rebounds during her rookie season. Social media erupted with reactions, with #AngelReese trending nationally as fans debated the Sparks' championship potential. ESPN's Holly Rowe reported the deal "shakes up the entire Western Conference."
Los Angeles GM Karen Bryant called Reese "a franchise-changing talent" in a statement released Sunday afternoon. The move pairs Reese with 2025 No. 1 pick JuJu Watkins, creating one of the league's most dynamic young frontcourts. WNBA analysts project the Sparks could jump from last season's 12-22 record to playoff contention.
Reese's merchandise sales spiked 300% on Fanatics within hours of the announcement, according to industry trackers. Ticket sales for the Sparks' May 15 home opener against the Las Vegas Aces reportedly doubled by midday Sunday. The trade dominates sports talk shows, with FS1's Skip Bayless calling it "the WNBA's equivalent of Kevin Durant to Golden State."
The deal marks the latest high-profile move in an active WNBA offseason that saw Sabrina Ionescu re-sign with New York and A'ja Wilson extend with Las Vegas. League officials confirm 2026 season ticket sales are up 27% leaguewide compared to this time last year, with the Sparks seeing the largest single-team increase at 41%.
Reese is expected to join the Sparks for training camp next week in El Segundo, California. Her first game against her former Chicago team is scheduled for June 8 at Crypto.com Arena, a matchup already circled on many WNBA calendars.
