Major offseason heist could finally change disappointing Dream playoff trend

The Atlanta Dream last advanced past the first round of the playoffs in 2018, when they were eliminated in the semifinals. In the 2025 season, the team, led by Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Brionna Jones, and rookie head coach Karl Smesko, performed strongly in the regular season, finishing third behind the Minnesota Lynx and Las Vegas Aces.

Despite their regular-season success, the Dream were unexpectedly eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the injury-ridden Indiana Fever, marking their third consecutive first-round exit. This outcome highlighted that the team did not fulfill its potential in the postseason.

Looking ahead, the Dream's future remains promising, as key players like Gray, Howard, and Jones are unlikely to leave in free agency. The upcoming free agency period offers opportunities to build a championship-contending roster around this core, with potential targets such as Nneka Ogwumike from the Seattle Storm, who could help the team achieve playoff success.

Nneka Ogwumike spent the last two seasons with the Seattle Storm, where she was surrounded by other All-Stars but the team still failed to find playoff success. With the Storm hiring a rookie head coach, Sonia Raman, and possibly shifting focus to younger players like Dominique Malonga, Ogwumike may consider free agency options, making Atlanta an intriguing fit due to her consistent performance and improved three-point shooting in the 2025 season.

In the 2025 season, the Dream signed Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner in free agency, but the duo did not complement each other well, as neither could effectively space the floor. Griner had the worst statistical season of her career, averaging 9.3 points and 5.2 rebounds, leading to Naz Hillmon starting in the playoffs over her. In contrast, Ogwumike's All-Star season and increased three-point volume (36.7% on 4.1 attempts per game) would make her a better fit alongside Jones, offering similar experience and championship pedigree as Griner.

However, acquiring Ogwumike will be challenging, as she is expected to attract significant interest from across the league if she decides to leave Seattle, making it a competitive pursuit for the Dream.