The Atlanta Dream and the Seattle Storm are retooling for their respective futures.  While the goal is the same, they are going about it in different ways. It's a process and all signs are pointing to potential rewards for both teams down the line. 

The Atlanta Dream looked around at midseason and did not like the direction in which they were heading. Possessing a center who was open to a move, they're retooling began. In the three team trade, the Dream sent Erica de Souza and received Damiris Dantas, Reshanda Gray and a 2016 first round pick from the Minnesota Lynx. Along with second-year guard Shoni Schimmel, Dantas and Gray are the building blocks the Dream are building around. They also have two first round draft picks, one of which will be a lottery pick. The Dream have solid veteran leadership from Angel McCoughtry and all-time WNBA games played leader DeLisha Milton-Jones. Of course, as veteran Sancho Lyttle goes, so does the Dream. Their future is in good hands.

The Seattle Storm lost a lot before the season began, including championship-winning head coach Brian Agler and all-everything center Lauren Jackson. Promoting assistant coach Jenny Boucek and having the first pick in the 2015 WNBA Draft was the beginning of their resurgence. With rookies Jewell Loyd, who is having an outstanding year, and Japanese import Ramu Tokashiki contributing right away; as well as second year center Markeisha Gatling and Australian forward Abby Bishop getting increased playing time, many of the future pieces are in place.  The game of Gatling has grown to the point she has to be in consideration for Most Improved Player.  Like the Dream, the Storm have kept some veteran leadership to teach all the young players on the roster. Point guard Sue Bird is the consummate leader and forward Crystal Langhorne is still a young enough veteran that she could still be part of the future. The Storm will also have a lottery pick in this years' draft.

It will be interesting to watch the progress of each of these teams. There is plenty of young talent on both teams, to go along with some solid veteran leadership. They will both have a lottery pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft which could accelerate their growth.