Hawks move to add big-man depth with Rockets G League standout

Dante is an athletic rim-running big man with decent NBA size. At 6-foot-11, he could be used at both the four and the five, thus providing the Hawks with some rotational versatility if needed. Furthermore, his status as a developmental talent means the Hawks franchise would be under no pressure to give him consistent minutes.

Adding a young up-and-coming big man to help provide some insurance and competition to the front-court rotation is a smart move by the Hawks. An NBA season is both long and arduous. You need reliable depth to ensure a steady push throughout the campaign.

Furthermore, Dante's impressive numbers in the G League likely mean he will have opportunities to stake a claim for a rotation spot during training camp and early in the season, either for Atlanta or Houston. Should the Rockets decline to match Atlanta's offer, Dante will compete with Porzingis and Onyeka Okongwu for a spot in the middle of the floor.

In terms of a low-cost, under-the-radar pickup, the Hawks may have hit this move out of the park. Dante has significant upside and comes at a low enough price point that there's minimal risk. 

Now, the onus shifts to Houston, who is firmly on the clock. But if he lands with the Hawks, coach Quin Snyder must find ways of developing the raw but talented big man, especially as the team may need him to fill in for stretches of the season.