Dream hire former Aces executive Padover as new GM

The Atlanta Dream have hired former Las Vegas Aces executive Dan Padover as their new general manager, the team announced Monday.

Padover is the two-time reigning WNBA executive of the year. Las Vegas made one WNBA Finals appearance and reached the semifinals twice after he took over in 2018.

His hiring is the latest in Atlanta's rapid overhaul; the Dream named Morgan Shaw Parker as president and chief operating officer in September and hired former WNBAer Tanisha Wright as head coach in mid-October.

"To build an organization from the ground up with new ownership and new leadership in a top-10 market like Atlanta is such a unique and exciting opportunity," Padover said in a statement. "My ultimate goal is to help create a model WNBA franchise and bring a championship to the city.

"Rebuilds don't happen overnight, but this organization is now uniquely positioned to create a winning culture."

Atlanta also announced former interim head coach Darius Taylor - whom Wright replaced - as assistant general manager.

The rebuilding Dream finished with an 8-24 record last season, good for the second-lowest winning percentage in the WNBA.