I hate to admit it, but this is a conversation the Atlanta Dream may need to start having sooner rather than later.
The Dream have a lot of problems most teams would love to have. They have star power. They have depth. They have one of the best young cores in the WNBA. But they also have something that can become an issue if not addressed properly:
Too much young talent and not enough minutes.
More specifically, the Dream may eventually have to choose which young guard they prioritize developing between Isobel Borlase and Te-Hina Paopao.
Now before anyone gets upset, this isn’t a debate about who is the better player today. It’s also not an argument that one player needs to be traded or removed from the rotation.
The issue is much bigger than that.
The Dream are heavily reliant on their starters. Players like Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Angel Reese, and Jordin Canada are playing major minutes because Atlanta is trying to win basketball games right now. That leaves a limited number of developmental minutes available for the younger players.
And that’s where the problem begins.
Because Borlase and Paopao both need to be playing.
Not 10 minutes per night.
Not 12 minutes per night.
If the Dream truly want to maximize their development, these players probably need 20-plus minutes consistently.
The problem is there simply aren’t enough minutes available for both.
Borlase Is Making This Decision Harder
Over the last several games, Isobel Borlase has looked like a player demanding more opportunities.
The Australian League MVP has continued to improve as she adjusts to the WNBA game.
Over her last four games, Borlase has averaged nearly:
- 10 points per game
- 2 rebounds per game
- 61% from the field
- 50% from three
Those numbers jump off the page.
But it’s not just the production.
It’s how she’s producing.
Borlase looks comfortable.
She looks confident.
She looks like a player whose game translates naturally to this level.
Her ability to score at all three levels, create her own shot, and make plays for teammates gives Atlanta something they don’t have a lot of outside of Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray.
Every game she plays seems to strengthen the argument that she deserves more minutes.
Meanwhile, Paopao Has Hit a Rough Stretch
On the other side of the equation is Te-Hina Paopao.
Paopao has been one of the Dream’s most important developmental success stories and remains one of the best shooters on the roster.
However, recently the production hasn’t been quite as strong.
Over the last several games, she’s averaged:
- 4 points per game
- 1 rebound per game
- 30% from the field
- 40% from three
Now let’s be clear.
This doesn’t mean Paopao is suddenly a bad player.
Far from it.
Every young player experiences ups and downs throughout a season.
The concern is that while Paopao has cooled off, Borlase has taken advantage of every opportunity she’s been given.
That naturally creates questions about future roles.
Why This Matters More Than People Think
This isn’t really a 2026 problem.
It’s a 2028 problem.
The Dream can survive with both players sharing minutes today.
The bigger question is what happens when the roster begins transitioning toward its younger core.
Jordin Canada won’t play forever.
Eventually Atlanta will need to decide who becomes a larger part of the team’s future.
And that’s where things become complicated.
The WNBA salary cap is real.
Roster spots are limited.
At some point, difficult decisions have to be made.
It’s entirely possible the Dream won’t be able to keep every young player they develop.
That’s why identifying who can become a long-term cornerstone matters so much.
Potential vs. Production
The toughest part of this discussion is that both players bring different strengths.
Paopao may be the safer option.
You know exactly what you’re getting.
Elite shooting.
High basketball IQ.
Good decision-making.
Strong locker room presence.
Borlase, however, might have the higher ceiling.
Her size, scoring versatility, and creation ability give her a skill set that is harder to find.
Players who can create offense for themselves and others are incredibly valuable.
And those players often become expensive.
The more Borlase develops, the more she looks like someone who could eventually become a starter in this league.
What Would I Do?
If I’m Atlanta and I’m making a decision today, I think I lean toward Borlase.
That isn’t a knock on Paopao.
It’s simply a reflection of upside.
Borlase has shown flashes of becoming something special.
Her combination of size, scoring, shot creation, and playmaking gives her a ceiling that is difficult to ignore.
If the Dream are thinking about the next five years rather than the next five months, Borlase may ultimately be the player they prioritize.
That’s a difficult reality.
But championship organizations make difficult decisions all the time.
Final Thoughts
Fortunately for the Dream, they don’t have to make this decision today.
But they may have to make it soon.
The more Borlase continues to produce, the harder it becomes to keep her minutes limited.
At the same time, Paopao remains one of the team’s most promising young players and an important piece of Atlanta’s future.
The Dream have built one of the deepest rosters in the WNBA.
That’s a blessing.
But eventually depth creates competition.
And competition creates difficult choices.
The Borlase vs. Paopao conversation may feel premature today.
Two years from now, it could become one of the most important decisions the franchise has to make.
