Carmelo Anthony Is A Huge Fan Of The Angel Reese Trade To Atlanta

For two years, Angel Reese has been a polarizing figure in the WNBA. When news of Reese’s trade to the Atlanta Dream hit social media last week, the messages of support for the next chapter of her career were as strong as the wave of ridicule and doubt that she would succeed.

Carmelo Anthony is no hater, though. And if there’s anyone that Reese wants on her side as she embarks on her Atlanta stint, it’s a two-time inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

“Angel will put a team over the top,” Anthony said on his “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast. “If you’re already a really good team, she’s gonna put you over the top.”

Anthony gave props to the Dream for landing this big-time acquisition. “You bring in the leading rebounder in the WNBA, a double-double magnet…Atlanta becomes different,” the 10-time NBA All-Star commented.

It was rather bizarre, of course, that no other active WNBA player was involved in the Reese trade. The Dream, in fact, had to give up just two first-round picks (2027 and 2028) to acquire the former national champion, plus a 2028 second-round pick swap. Not letting these facts slide, Melo had some words for the Sky front office. “Y’all buggin’,” he said bluntly. “Something’s gotta be wrong…if you’re just giving her up for nothing.”

Then again, the Sky’s decision to accept (or perhaps even initiate?) those trade terms shouldn’t be all that surprising. Towards the end of the 2025 WNBA season, Reese gave a public interview in which she criticized the front office for failing to construct a top-tier roster. Reese went as far as slamming her own teammates, casting doubt on the ability of Courtney Vandersloot to bounce back from her torn ACL due to “the age she’s at.” (Sloot was 36 at the time.)

No matter what any supporter or detractor says in the offseason, there’s only one way to prove whether the Dream truly won this trade. Reese, who had a solid run with Team USA at the FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament last month, appears to have plenty of motivation to help Atlanta get to the next level. When the 2026 WNBA season tips off in May, she’ll have to translate her enthusiasm into winning ways for her new team.