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.

N’Faly Dante, Oregon’s undrafted center, parlayed a G-League breakout into a two-year, $4.5 million offer from Atlanta. His Rio Grande Valley numbers—16-point-ish and near 10 boards per game—made him a tempting, low-cost lottery ticket for a Hawks team that needed interior depth after last season’s Rockets stop. The Rockets couldn’t match due to cap constraints, and Dante is now Atlanta-bound, a restricted free agent with clear development upside.

He’ll chase minutes behind Onyeka Okongwu, a task that will define his early NBA footprint. The deal is likely non-guaranteed for the second year, signaling Atlanta’s patience with young bigs and a plan to nurture Dante’s development while preserving future flexibility. Fantasy managers should weigh Dante as a potential late-round flier with meaningful growth if he earns bench minutes and fills a rebounding, efficient role in the Hawks’ frontcourt.

The Hawks’ move alsoVeter maps a broader cap context: Dante lands in a summer where Atlanta can be patient with roster decisions, while Houston’s cap position and two-way realities continue to shape their internal options. Dante’s G-League showcase and his eventual NBA path illustrate how dynamic development pipelines can translate into real NBA value in a league constantly seeking affordable, high-upside bigs.

Joan Beringer, the 18-year-old French center, has made waves as the Minnesota Timberwolves' first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, predicted to potentially replace Rudy Gobert in the future. While Beringer remains raw, his foundation is strong, having played for Slovenia's Cedevita Olimpij and showcasing impressive stats including 4.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. His experience as the league leader in blocked shots in the 2025 ABA highlights his defensive prowess.

In a recent interview, Beringer expressed eagerness to absorb Gobert's defensive skills, hoping to follow in the footsteps of the three-time NBA All-Star and four-time Defensive Player of the Year. Minnesota, currently poised to compete in the Western Conference, seems to be mindful of a transition period, allowing Beringer to develop while still maintaining a competitive edge. As Gobert's possible exit looms, Beringer's growth becomes increasingly critical for the Timberwolves.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are on the brink of their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012, leading the Western Conference Finals 2-0 after a decisive 118-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as a standout, scoring 38 points and setting a franchise record with at least 30 points in five consecutive playoff games. His performance has been complemented by All-Star Jalen Williams, who contributed 26 points and 10 rebounds.

The Thunder's defense has been exceptional, effectively shutting down Minnesota's offensive threats. The Timberwolves have struggled, shooting just 38.2% from the field during the series. Anthony Edwards delivered a solid performance with 32 points, but the team’s overall inconsistency has been a concern, with critical turnovers leading to easy points for the Thunder. With Luguentz Dort anchoring their top-ranked defense, Oklahoma City is in a strong position to advance to the Finals if they maintain this level of play.

The Cleveland Cavaliers face a daunting challenge as they prepare for Game 2 of the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers, significantly undermined by injuries to key players Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De'Andre Hunter. Garland's absence is notable as he's missed several games due to a sprained toe, impacting the team's rhythm especially against Indiana's dynamic offense. Mobley, an All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year, injured his ankle during a contested shot, while Hunter suffered a dislocated thumb after a hard fall.

With Garland sidelined, the Cavaliers will rely on Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, and Jarrett Allen as they look to level the series before heading to Indianapolis. Coach Kenny Atkinson contends that the injuries were exacerbated by contentious no-calls against Pacers players, leading to heightened tensions. The Cavaliers' depth will be tested as they aim for a crucial win without their stars in a critical playoff matchup.