Imagine entering college as the No. 1 recruit, one of the most decorated players in the nation, leading your team to a national title, getting drafted as the sixth overall pick… only to find yourself released, entering the third year of your pro career. Well, that’s exactly what’s happening to Haley Jones right now. As hyped as we all are for the start of the WNBA season, there’s no sugarcoating it that cuts are brutal. No one’s untouchable. Doesn’t matter if you’re a shiny new rookie, a preseason standout, or even a former top pick. When teams make their final trims, it gets real quick.
The latest name to fall victim to those cuts is Jones. The Atlanta Dream officially moved on from the 6th overall pick in the 2023 draft just before the season opener. It’s a tough pill to swallow for fans who were hoping to see her take that next leap this year. But unfortunately, Jones has been battling the same issue since college, her shooting range.
At Stanford, she shot just 21.3% from deep, and that struggle stuck with her in the pros. In her two seasons with the Dream, her field goal percentage sat at 36.5%, with only 21.4% from beyond the arc. And if we’re being honest, in a league where spacing and shooting are everything, those numbers made it tough for her to carve out a role, especially in a backcourt that’s already packed.
Signs were there in the preseason itself. Across two games, Jones logged just 18 minutes, averaging 3.5 points, 0.5 boards, and 0.5 assists. So the Dream had to make a call. But that doesn’t make it any less heartbreaking.
I sure hate it. I was looking forward to seeing her with the team this year.
— Jasmine (@Poohbear1030) May 14, 2025
Fans were quick to share their disappointment as one wrote, “Whew damn…… they breaking hearts all over the W,” and another added, “I sure hate it. I was looking forward to seeing her with the team this year.”
Developing Story….
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