The Atlanta Hawks have been anything but inactive this offseason, as they have one of the most complete and anticipated rosters in recent years. This summer, Atlanta has been active in free agency, trade, and draft, which has led them to arguably have the best team they've had in years since the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals run.
As of yesterday, the Hawks have announced that they have signed former Houston Rockets center N'Faly Dante to a two-year $4.5 million deal. This deal will be a low-risk deal, as the Hawks have pretty much filled out the roster for this season, but this adds to the depth they've been looking to build on this roster with both defense and size.
Just In: The Atlanta Hawks have agreed to a two-year, $4.5 million offer sheet with Houston Rockets two-way restricted free agent N'Faly Dante, league sources told @hoopshype. He averaged 15.1 points on 74.3% shooting, 9.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.0 steals in the G League. pic.twitter.com/PIjcA0q7ip
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 16, 2025
The Hawks front office has been in a rebuild mode as they've shuffled around both the general manager and assistant general manager roles. Since then, the team has been taken seriously compared to seasons past. The only downside to this is that it could have happened sooner in the Trae Young era. Many fans of Atlanta feel the same way, especially now that it's happened right before his contract is coming up for an extension.
However, that still shouldn't take away from the fact that the Hawks' offseason outlook should still be positive, as they have a lot of young talent for the future and are in talks about being contenders for this season at least. I'm just as eager as everyone else to see if the Hawks can live up to people's "dark horse" expectations of making the NBA Finals this season. Hopefully, Trae Young can solidify his contract extension to stay in Atlanta.
There might not be an offseason acquisition who makes a bigger impact for their team than Kristaps Porzingis will for the Atlanta Hawks. While he has battled injuries in the past and will probably miss time at some point this season, his ability to stretch the floor and be a defensive presence in the paint is unlike anything the Hawks have had at the position and one could argue that Porzingis is the most talented teammate that Trae Young has ever paired up with in Atlanta.
Here’s more in-depth coverage on the NBA Cup and daily Hawks news below (click the headline for full article):
Hawks Tweets for today:
Averaged 19/10/5 btw pic.twitter.com/sR4gsQhQuB
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) August 16, 2025
Atlanta Hawks offseason outlook
— Zach Langley (@langleyatl) August 16, 2025
OUT: Clint Capela, Caris LeVert, Terance Mann, Georges Niang, Larry Nance Jr., Dominick Barlow, Garrison Mathews, Daeqwon Plowden
IN: Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard, Asa Newell, Caleb Houstan, N’Faly Dante, Eli… pic.twitter.com/eaWEEewMGy
Smart cap management by Atlanta:
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) August 16, 2025
They'll use the Minimum Exception to sign Dante vs some of the remaining Non-Taxpayer MLE. That conserves the remaining $3.1M of the NTMLE.
Also, by giving Dante a two-year deal, the Hawks can make him a restricted free agent in 2027, if he… https://t.co/LhPRA89P8L
Throwback: N’Faly Dante dominants in Creighton's 86-73 Double OT win over Oregon - 2024 NCAA Tournament.
— BRANDON - HAWKS HOMECOURT (@Hawks_HomeCourt) August 16, 2025
28 PTS
20 REB
3 AST
2 STL
2 BLK
12-20 FG
4-5 FT
It was the first 20| 20 Game vs @BluejayMBB since 1981 & a monstrous performance vs 7’1 4X BIG EAST DPOY RYAN Kalkbrenner. pic.twitter.com/y180V8I4YO
I am excited about the Atlanta Hawks.
— Dom2K (@Dom_2k) August 16, 2025
If you want more news and notes on the Hawks, be sure to check out: Atlanta Hawks on SI
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