The Atlanta Hawks waived Charles Bassey and Lamont Butler today, making N’Faly Dante the third-string center.
Bassey is an elite rebounder who gave Dante a serious challenge for the final roster spot. The former Spurs and 76ers backup has averaged 4.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 11 minutes a night over his four-year career, backing up stars Victor Wembanyama and Joel Embiid. Bassey is an elite rebounder who flexed this skill in Atlanta’s victory over Miami in preseason, hauling in an absurd 17 rebounds.
Dante has just four NBA games to his name after being shut out of a crowded Houston Rockets center rotation last season. The Oregon product averaged a solid 6.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 12 minutes a game in the big leagues. The G League was where Dante impressed the most last season, putting up 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, and 1.0 steals in 29 minutes a game.
Dante is a force to be reckoned with down low, possessing elite length, strength, and vertical explosion to deny any attempts at the rim. The Hawks recognized his physical tools by signing Dante to a two-year, $4.4 million contract that is essentially non-guaranteed. Dante impressed in preseason action, fully dominating three-time All-Star Bam Adebayo in his third preseason appearance.
Dante has a critical role on this Hawks team
Dante will be relied upon regularly this season despite being a third-string center. This is because the Hawks will be starting Kristaps Porzingis, who can be expected to miss at least 20 games this season. When Porzingis is out, Dante and Onyeka Okongwu will be tasked with handling the center rotation, perhaps with the sporadic help of combo bigs Mouhamed Gueye and Asa Newell.
Dante, who turns 24 tomorrow, has the potential to become a long-term fixture in Atlanta’s lineup despite his age and limited experience. Dante was a five-star prospect who picked up basketball at a late age. An alumnus of the prestigious Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas, Dante quickly soared up high school rankings due to his otherworldly physical gifts.
Dante suffered poor injury luck at Oregon, tearing his ACL right as he was hitting his stride as a player. He persevered, however, winning the 2024 Pac-12 Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award and earning two consecutive All-Pac-12 First Team honors.
This shouldn’t be the end of the road for Bassey, whose rebounding talent could immediately help a playoff team with a weak center rotation. Unfortunately for Bassey, there was no room for him on an exciting young Hawks roster. We wish Bassey the best of luck at his next stop.