The WNBA trade deadline is quickly approaching on August 2, and for the first time all season, the Atlanta Dream are beginning to look like the team they envisioned when they built this roster.

Brionna Jones is working her way back.

Angel Reese continues to improve every week.

Rhyne Howard is playing at an All-WNBA level.

Allisha Gray continues to be one of the league’s best two-way players.

The Dream finally have an opportunity to evaluate themselves at full strength.

And while I believe Atlanta is already a championship contender, I also think there are still a few areas that could be upgraded before the deadline.

The biggest need?

Wing depth.

More specifically, another athletic wing who can defend, shoot the three, and give Karl Smesko more lineup flexibility in the playoffs.

Here are four players I think Atlanta should consider.

1. Emily Engstler

If I’m ranking players based purely on fit, Emily Engstler might be No. 1 on my list.

She checks almost every box the Dream are looking for.

She’s athletic.

She’s long.

She’s an excellent defender.

She can guard multiple positions.

And perhaps most importantly, she fills one of Atlanta’s biggest needs—a versatile wing defender.

But her game isn’t limited to the defensive end.

Engstler is also capable of stretching the floor, something that fits perfectly within Karl Smesko’s offensive system. She’s shooting 35% from three-point range, making her a legitimate floor spacer that defenses have to respect. That ability to knock down open shots creates more driving lanes for players like Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard while preventing defenses from packing the paint.

Engstler also fits the Dream’s timeline. At just 26 years old, she could become part of Atlanta’s core rather than simply being a short-term rental.

That’s important because the Dream have already traded away significant draft capital to acquire Angel Reese. Adding another young player with upside helps replenish some of that future value.

Why it makes sense

• Elite defensive versatility
• 35% three-point shooter who can space the floor
• Young enough to grow with the core
• Fills Atlanta’s biggest positional need
• Could contribute immediately

The downside

The biggest question is role.

Would Engstler be willing to leave a starting opportunity elsewhere to become part of Atlanta’s rotation?

Winning can solve a lot of problems, but playing time still matters.

If she’s looking for a larger role, the Dream may not be the ideal destination.

2. Lexie Hull

Every time I watch Lexie Hull play, I think the same thing:

She looks like a Karl Smesko player.

Hull is one of the league’s better role players.

She plays hard every possession.

She defends.

She spaces the floor.

She doesn’t need the basketball to make an impact.

That’s exactly the type of player championship teams need.

Indiana has some difficult roster decisions looming, especially on the wing, which makes Hull an interesting name to monitor.

If the Fever decide they can’t keep everyone long-term, Atlanta should absolutely make a phone call.

Why it makes sense

• Excellent three-point shooter
• Strong perimeter defender
• High basketball IQ
• Fits perfectly in Atlanta’s system

The downside

Hull isn’t cheap.

She’s making significant money for a role player, and Indiana may have no interest in trading someone they view as part of their future.

It would likely take more than Atlanta is willing to offer.

3. Rebekah Gardner

Rebekah Gardner may be one of the more overlooked trade candidates in the WNBA.

Playing for the defending champion New York Liberty means minutes are incredibly difficult to come by.

New York has one of the deepest wing rotations in basketball, and Gardner has become somewhat of a casualty of that depth.

Despite limited opportunities, she’s exactly the type of player contenders should be targeting.

Gardner has built her reputation as a tough defender who can knock down open threes and impact winning without needing a high volume of shots.

While her three-point percentage has dipped this season, her career body of work suggests she’s a much better shooter than the current numbers indicate.

Sometimes a change of scenery is all a player needs.

Why it makes sense

• Veteran experience
• Proven perimeter defender
• Strong off-ball player
• Could thrive with a larger role

The downside

Her shooting numbers have declined this season, and there are legitimate questions about whether that’s simply a slump or a sign of regression.

4. Jordan Horston

This might be my favorite buy-low candidate.

Jordan Horston’s career hasn’t gone according to plan after suffering an ACL injury that wiped out much of her momentum.

Since returning, she hasn’t quite looked like the player many expected coming out of Tennessee.

Her efficiency has dipped.

Her minutes have decreased.

And she’s struggled to find consistency.

But I still believe the talent is there.

Horston is a long, athletic wing who can defend multiple positions and create offense in transition.

Those are skills you can’t teach.

If Atlanta believes it can help restore her confidence and put her in a simplified role, this could be one of the highest-upside acquisitions available.

Why it makes sense

• Elite athletic tools
• Defensive upside
• Still only 25 years old
• High-reward, low-risk investment

The downside

The injuries are impossible to ignore.

There’s no guarantee Horston ever returns to the player she looked capable of becoming before her ACL tear.

Atlanta would be betting on potential rather than production.

The Common Theme

If you noticed something about all four players, you’re not alone.

They’re all underutilized.

They’re all capable defenders.

They’re all wings.

And none of them would require Atlanta to completely reshape its roster.

That’s exactly the type of move championship teams make.

The Dream don’t need another superstar.

They already have enough star power.

What they need is another player who can come off the bench, defend at a high level, knock down open shots, and allow Karl Smesko to keep fresh legs on the floor during a playoff run.

Final Thoughts

The Atlanta Dream are closer than they’ve been in years to competing for a championship.

Now the question becomes whether they should stand pat or make one final move before the trade deadline.

If it were my decision, I’d prioritize adding another athletic wing who can defend and shoot.

Emily Engstler would be my top target. She checks every box Atlanta should be looking for. She’s a versatile defender, she’s only 26 years old, and her 35% three-point shooting makes her an ideal floor spacer in Karl Smesko’s offense. She has the ability to help the Dream immediately while also becoming a long-term piece alongside Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, and the rest of Atlanta’s young core.

Lexie Hull would be a close second thanks to her elite shooting and defensive effort.

Rebekah Gardner offers championship experience, while Jordan Horston represents the ultimate reclamation project with tremendous upside.

Regardless of which direction Atlanta chooses, one thing is clear:

The Dream don’t need to make a blockbuster trade.

They just need to find one more player who can strengthen their wing rotation and push one of the WNBA’s deepest rosters over the top.

With the way this team is playing, one smart addition could be the difference between making a deep playoff run and bringing a championship back to Atlanta.