N’Faly Dante’s restricted free-agent move to Atlanta is official after Houston declined to match a two-year, $4.5 million offer. Dante, 23, spent last season with Houston on a two-way deal and posted strong G League numbers (15.1 PPG on 74.3% FG, 9.8 RPG, 2.2 BPG, 1.0 SPG) with Rio Grande Valley. The Rockets’ hard-cap dynamics made matching unlikely, clearing the path for Atlanta’s bid. Capela’s recent signing with Houston is a surprising twist that may have opened the door for Dante to land in Atlanta, where his size and efficiency could translate into meaningful minutes backing a frontcourt rotation.

The Hawks land Dante amid a frontcourt landscape that includes Sharpshooting and rim protection expectations, while Houston stacks centers—Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams, and Clint Capela—keeping Dante without a clear minutes path. The Romeo-and-Juliet turn of Capela’s career, from Hawks to Rockets, is a key narrative thread that underscored Atlanta’s incentive to add Dante. The move shifts Dante from a two-way role to a full-time NBA rotation piece, with fantasy upside anchored in his G League efficiency and rebounding bursts.

For fantasy managers, Dante’s upside hinges on a clear route to minutes behind or alongside the Hawks’ core. Expect a role that mixes interior scoring, rebounding, and rim protection, with potential spikes in blocks and efficient finishing near the basket. The cap-space constraints that doomed Houston’s attempt to retain him also signal Atlanta’s commitment to a versatile, size-equipped lineup that could yield solid mid-round fantasy value if Dante locks in a steady workload.

Kevin Durant’s fit in Houston looms as the marquee storyline in a summer of splashy roster moves. Durant moved from Phoenix in a seven-team blockbuster that also shipped Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to Phoenix in exchange for a No. 10 pick (Khaman Maluach) and multiple second-rounders. Cam Whitmore’s return home to Washington via a three-team swap reinforces a Wizards rebuild, while Houston beefed up with Dorian Finney-Smith, Clint Capela, and Josh Okogie, and kept VanVleet, Adams, Tate, Holiday and Green as free agents. Ime Udoka’s defensive emphasis and the Rockets’ upgraded depth position Houston as one of the West’s top contenders behind OKC, Minnesota and Denver. The schedule moments teased—Durant vs. Whitmore in Houston, and Whitmore returning to D.C.—hint at a season full of intriguing matchups and fantasy wrinkles.

Whitmore’s Wizards debutation in Washington’s unfolding youth movement adds another layer to a league-wide reshuffle. The Wizards’ roster now includes Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Corey Kispert, AJ Johnson and Carlton Carrington, with Whitmore eager to win games as Washington eyes a brighter horizon. For fantasy, Houston’s new core and Durant’s high usage profile reignite the Rockets’ ceiling and complicate backcourt and wing rotations, while Washington’s pieces could surge if Coulibaly and Kispert find early rhythm. The summer of moves sets a clearer path for KD’s prime era to intersect with a rising West and a Wizards club chasing a respectful perch in 2025-26.

Kevin Durant, a 15-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion, is set to start a new chapter with the Houston Rockets after a monumental seven-team trade that has sent shockwaves across the league. Following the completion of this unprecedented deal, fans are eager to see Durant in his new No. 7 jersey, which was unveiled in a dramatic Instagram reveal by the Rockets. This move not only highlights the franchise's ambitions after securing their first division title since 2020 but also positions Durant alongside veteran Clint Capela to bolster their playoff aspirations.

Durant's career has seen him rise to elite status, consistently scoring over 25 points per game and recently posting impressive shooting percentages at age 36. His contract includes a staggering $54.7 million deal extending through the 2025-26 season, showcasing the Rockets' commitment to building a competitive roster around him. The trade also involved notable players like Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks heading to Phoenix, marking a significant reshaping of teams involved.

The Houston Rockets have made a bold move this offseason, acquiring Kevin Durant, a future Hall of Famer, and transitioning into a win-now mentality. General Manager Rafael Stone emphasized the team's shift from development to immediate competitiveness, particularly after a successful previous season. With Durant joining a roster that also includes Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela, the Rockets are positioning themselves to contend for a championship. Stone highlighted Durant's efficiency and defensive capabilities, hoping he can enhance their offensive play while receiving support from his new teammates.

Durant's statistics from last season with the Suns, averaging 26.6 points per game with impressive shooting percentages, suggest he can substantially improve the Rockets' offensive output. The team is optimistic about its deep roster and aims to capitalize on the playoff experience gained from last year’s performance, where they reached the second seed in the Western Conference. The Rockets’ management is committed to a balanced approach, ensuring depth without sacrificing future potential, while setting ambitious goals for the upcoming season.

The NBA landscape shifted dramatically this weekend with Kevin Durant officially joining the Houston Rockets, marking the largest trade in league history.

Brought into Houston alongside Durant is Clint Capela, while the Phoenix Suns receive a package featuring Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Daeqwon Plowden plus multiple second-round picks. The Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, and Minnesota Timberwolves are also part of this multifaceted deal, showcasing the interconnectedness of this blockbuster move.

The Suns gave Durant a heartfelt farewell, noting his impressive averages of 26.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks over 145 regular-season games, although his time in Phoenix ended without any playoff success despite a Big Three of Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.