Atlanta Dream’s trio of free agent signings brings star power, championship experience

When the offseason began, the Dream had several things to address. The first domino was their decision to part ways with head coach Tanisha Wright in October and begin a new chapter with the hiring of Karl Smesko in November.

Both general manager Dan Padover and Smesko also stressed the importance of improving Atlanta’s offensive efficiency and finding players to blend with the Dream’s core trio of guards in Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray and Jordin Canada. Last season, the Dream finished second-to-last in the WNBA in offensive rating (99.0 points scored per 100 possessions) and 3-point field goal percentage (30.8%) as well as last in overall field goal percentage (45.2%) and assists per game (18.4).

The Next, a 24/7/365 women’s basketball newsroom

The Next: A basketball newsroom brought to you by The IX. 24/7/365 women’s basketball coverage, written, edited and photographed by our young, diverse staff and dedicated to breaking news, analysis, historical deep dives and projections about the game we love.

That process began on Thursday when reports surfaced that Griner and Walker-Kimbrough would join the franchise. Griner, who spent all 11 of her WNBA seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, brings the ability to protect the rim, rebound and defend as well as score alongside the trio of guards. The No. 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft also brings championship experience — winning Finals MVP in the Mercury’s 2014 WNBA title — and has averaged 17.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in her career. 

“Brittney is the perfect fit for this team, this organization and this city,” Padover said in a statement. “She brings Hall of Fame talent, championship presence and leadership to our organization. This is a monumental moment for our franchise.”

Griner is equally excited to start the next chapter of her career in Atlanta. She posted a video on Instagram on Tuesday detailing how free agency “was everything she wanted it to be” and how she ultimately decided Atlanta was the best fit.

“Atlanta felt like home the moment I started thinking about this next chapter,” Griner said Saturday in the team’s announcement. “What led me here was the team, the players, and most importantly, my family. I’m excited to be part of this city, to connect with the community, and [to] help elevate this team into championship contention.”

Order ‘Becoming Caitlin Clark’ and save 30%

Howard Megdal, founder and editor of The Next and The IX, just announced his latest book. It captures both the historic nature of Caitlin Clark’s rise and the critical context over the previous century that helped make it possible. Interviews with Clark, Lisa Bluder (who also wrote the foreword), C. Vivian Stringer, Jan Jensen, Molly Kazmer and so many others were vital to the process.

If you enjoy his coverage of women’s basketball every Wednesday at The IX, you will love “Becoming Caitlin Clark: The Unknown Origin Story of a Modern Basketball Superstar.” Click the link below to preorder and enter MEGDAL30 at checkout.

Preorder “Becoming Caitlin Clark”

Walker-Kimbrough brings defense, leadership and support for Atlanta’s offense. Last season with the Washington Mystics, she finished third in the Sixth Player of the Year race after averaging a career-high 7.5 points, 1.9 assists and 1.7 rebounds per game. The 29-year-old also led all bench players in total points (284) and steals (40) and was the Mystics’ bench leader.

“I take a lot of pride in doing the little things that help a team win—knocking down shots, locking in on defense, bringing energy every single day,” Walker-Kimbrough said in the team’s announcement. “Atlanta plays with toughness and grit, and that’s the kind of environment where I thrive. I’m excited to get to work and do whatever it takes to help this team succeed.”

Jones also signed with Atlanta after spending eight seasons with the Connecticut Sun. The 29-year-old gives the Dream more rebounding — especially on the offensive side of the ball, which should result in more second-chance opportunities. She is also one of the WNBA’s most efficient scorers. 

Jones has averaged at least 11 points per game in each season since 2020 and earned several leaguewide awards, including 2021 WNBA Most Improved Player, 2021 All-Defensive second team and 2022 Sixth Player of the Year. 

“Brionna is a tremendous addition to our team,” Smesko said in the team’s announcement. “She is an elite player who is very smart, competitive [and] efficient and has the versatility to impact both ends of the floor. Her consistency and work ethic make her the kind of player every coach wants.”

Alongside Atlanta’s latest signings, the Dream’s 2025 roster includes Canada, Nia Coffey, Gray, Naz Hillmon, Howard and Haley Jones. The Dream also extended forward/center Lorela Cubaj a qualifying offer on Jan. 15, signed reserve guard Maya Caldwell to a training camp contract on Jan. 18, and waived forward Laeticia Amihere on Saturday. (Cubaj’s offer is still pending.)

There could still be more changes to the roster before Atlanta kicks off its season on May 16 against the Mystics. The Dream have the Nos. 18 and 36 picks in this year’s WNBA Draft as well as all of their picks in 2026, giving them assets to work with. But they have already fulfilled their plan to be aggressive in free agency in hopes of improving the roster.

Want even more women’s sports in your inbox?

Subscribe now to our sister publication The IX and receive our independent women’s sports newsletter six days a week. Learn more about your favorite athletes and teams around the world competing in soccer, tennis, basketball, golf, hockey and gymnastics from our incredible team of writers.

Readers of The Next now save 50% on their subscription to The IX.

With new talent and new leadership, the Dream begin a new chapter — one that will be “a process of progress,” according to Smesko.

“I think we have the talent,” Smesko told The Next’s Howard Megdal on Locked On Women’s Basketball on Jan. 22, before the team had signed Griner, Jones and Walker-Kimbrough. “If we learn how to play together and create space and utilize that space properly, I think we have a chance to be much improved this year.”

Now Smesko will start the process of merging the new talent with Atlanta’s core. The result will be exciting to watch.