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If there was one thing that defined the Dream’s 2017 season, they played without their franchise player Angel McCoughtry, who decided to rest the entire season. Though they had an underwhelming 12-22 record, Atlanta still had three All-Stars in the lineup with their backcourt of Tiffany Hayes and Layshia Clarendon as well as center Elizabeth Williams.
McCoughtry’s back for the 2018 season after signing a multi-year extension, and they also brought in a new front office with General Manager Chris Sienko and Head Coach Nicki Collen. With the new front office as well as Atlanta’s existing All-Star trio around McCoughtry, Atlanta looks poised to return to the postseason and advance a round or two.
Team Stats
Offensive Rating: 97.7 (10th)
Defensive Rating: 102.3 (5th)
Pace: 95.5 (4th)
The good - Tiffany Hayes’ scoring average has improved every year she has been in the WNBA from 8.6 ppg in 2012 to 16.3 last season. Also, Layshia Clarendon averaged a career high 6.3 assists per game in her second year with Atlanta.
The bad - The Dream were the worst three point shooting team in the league, both by percentage and in total threes made. That’s not good in an era where players are shooting better from deep than ever before.
What have the Dream done in the offseason?
Key Departures: Michael Cooper, the head coach last season was fired. Tamera Young left in free agency.
Key Additions: The Dream signed Renee Montgomery in free agency to a multi-year contract on February 1. They also signed Jessica Breland to a multi-year contract the following day.
Key Re-signings: As mentioned previously, the Dream re-signed McCoughtry. They also re-signed Elizabeth Williams to a multi-year contract.
Other signings: The Dream re-signed Damiris Dantas who was a reserved player on February 14. They also re-signed Yelena Leuchanka, who last played for Atlanta in 2012, last week to a training camp deal.
The Dream’s draft picks
The Dream have the 16th pick in the second round and the 27th pick in the third round. They traded their first round pick (the third overall pick) to the Chicago Sky last season when they acquired Young and Imani Boyette.
What should the Dream look for in their draft picks?
The Dream will have four All-Stars in their lineup this season with McCoughtry, so they are going to improve. But the Dream lack quality three point shooters, and they could find more talent here. The Dream already traded their first round pick away and later draft picks don’t have an easy time making the roster on teams that figure to make the playoffs. Therefore, Atlanta is probably going to look to their current players to step up their shooting range.