Your 2025 Atlanta Dream Season Preview!

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WNBA season is upon us! A lot has happened this offseason, so I’ve put together some quick and handy guides for every team to help you start the season off right! Planning to go to a game? My sponsor, Turn The Paige Travel, has got all of your travel needs covered! Let’s talk hoops!

What’s New

The Dream parted ways with head coach Tanisha Wright after 3 seasons stuck in neutral. Replacing her is former Florida Gulf Coast head coach Karl Smesko, who is to the 3-pointer what Magic City is to wings. In his 17 seasons leading the Eagles, they finished no worse than 5th in Division I in 3-point attempts per game.

They let Cheyenne Parker-Tyus and Tina Charles walk in free agency, and replaced them in a big way with all-stars Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones. Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, who finished 3rd in 6POY voting last season, also comes over from the Mystics. The Dream didn’t have a first-round pick in this year’s draft, but did manage to come away with sharpshooter Te-Hina Paopao in the 2nd round, who has played like a first-round pick in the preseason.

What’s Good

Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. But you knew that already. They should benefit from Smesko’s system creating open looks for them as opposed to the “ISO and good luck!” offense of yesteryear. The Griner-Jones pairing was confusing to some initially, but I suspect their minutes will be staggered somewhat. Also, BG’s ability to step out and shoot it should provide enough spacing when they are sharing the court. Overall, this roster is deeper, more talented, and more well-rounded than last year’s.

What Could Go Wrong

Probably something with the ticket office if I had to bet. Still waiting on those tickets to the Fever game in case you were wondering!

On the court, I’m not sure we ever got the full Jordin Canada experience last season after she started the season on the injured list, and she once again got hurt in their first preseason game this year. When she’s at full strength, she brings playmaking and defensive skills that any contender can use.

There’s also the reality that there’s an adjustment period for new coaches. Smesko has never coached at this level before, and, as successful as he was at FGCU, there’s no guarantee that style will work in the W. As an optimist, I’m expecting players to see a bump in their 3-point shooting percentages, but I still would categorize this roster as more of a “Yes, they can shoot 3s” group than a “They’ve all got flamethrowers” group.

What To Expect

There will be growing pains, and there are question marks on top of the growing pains. Don’t be surprised by a slow start. However, it’d take a ticket office-sized disaster for them not to flirt with their first .500 season since 2018. No championship parades around the Belt Line any time soon, but Dream fans should start feeling optimistic again.

Thank you for checking this guide out! Don’t forget to read up on all the other teams as well. Also, do you need to know which sporting events to watch each week? Subscribe to get my weekly sports watch guide! I hit you with what you need to watch, why you need to watch it, and some interesting stories from the sports world that you may have missed!