Hawks officially announced signing 23-year-old former Rockets center Dante, Houston cannot sign him again due to salary space restrictions

August 19th, according to the latest report of well-known sports reporter Michael Scotto, the Hawks have officially signed center N’Faly Dante. The Rockets chose not to match his two-year, $4.5 million offer contract, and the news has been confirmed by the Hawks. The Rockets had offered Dante two-way qualifying offers in June, but the team finally filled three two-way quotations with Kevon Harris, Isaiah Crawford and JD Davison after adjusting the roster, with little room for Dante. In addition, the Rockets are currently only $1.26 million away from the first luxury tax payment line, further limiting their flexibility in signings. The

Hawks' offer is expected to be just the basic salary level, but even so, considering the financial pressure, it is still too expensive for the Rockets. After signing Dante, the Hawks have 14 standard contracts in their roster, and Caleb Houstan is also expected to join the team.

It is worth mentioning that Dante became the first two-way restricted free agent to sign a quotation contract since Tyrone Wallace in 2018; at the same time, he is also the first player to change the team in this situation since Bogdan Bogdanovic switched from the Kings to the Hawks in 2020.

Dant's joining adds depth to the Hawks' frontcourt rotation. Currently, the lineup includes Onyeka Okongwu, Kristaps Porzingis, rookie Asa Newell and third-year insider Mouhamed Gueye.

Dent, 23, played for the Rockets last season on a two-way contract. He only played four NBA games, but served as the mainstay in the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the Development League. In 42 games, he averaged 26.8 minutes of playing time, and averaged 15.1 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.