Angel Reese is in the WNBA Finals, but her Chicago exit raises questions about her winning mentality

Angel Reese has been talking about taking control of her destiny.

With the Atlanta Dream preparing for the WNBA Finals, things have worked out pretty well for her.

But OutKick wanted to know what, exactly, she meant by that.

Earlier this week, Reese told WSB-TV about "taking control of your destiny" and said, "I wanted to come to Atlanta." Those comments got people talking about how she ended up there, particularly the question of whether she forced her way out of Chicago.

ESPN TURNS ANGEL REESE’S 49 ‘MEBOUNDS’ INTO PROOF THAT SHE’S A LEGENDARY WNBA REBOUNDER Accounts sharing the interview clip mocked the defense that Reese never requested a trade and didn’t "run from the grind." There’s a difference between formally asking for a trade and making your dissatisfaction known, and Reese had certainly done the latter.

Reese has blocked me on social media, so I’m probably not her first choice for this conversation.

I’ve written critically about her and, even more often, her fawning media fans .

This was an opportunity to hear her explanation in person.

So, during Friday’s WNBA Finals media availability, I asked her directly: "What role did you play in the trade?" "I mean, they..." Reese began before trailing off, looking away, and pausing for about three seconds.

"I was being traded," she continued after the false start, turning her eyes back to me.

"And I found out I was being traded, and luckily enough, I was able to work with Chicago and where I wanted to go.

And Atlanta also wanted me, so it made sense for both of us.

And I’m happy just to be here." Watching her answer, it seemed like she was being very cautious about what she wanted to say.

She acknowledged helping choose the destination, but began by describing the trade as something happening to her.