Age: 22 years outdated
Position: Departure guardian
Statistics: 14.1 factors per match, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 0.7 blocks, 3.6 interceptions on 49/34/59 taking pictures movie (33.8 minutes per match in 76 video games performed this season)
Again in 2025-26: Sure
When the Hawks commerce to ship Dejounte Murray to New Orleans Pélicans for Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance and two first-round decisions, there was hope among the many followers of Hawks and the crew that Atlanta had discovered a diamond within the teammate on the yard and a possible for Trae Younger. Even essentially the most optimistic member of the Hawks couldn’t have seen what got here from Daniels.
Daniels had a historic season for Atlanta, changing into one of many first defenders of the NBA and profitable matches with its skill to steal the ball. Not solely that, however Daniels additionally skilled huge development on the offensive facet.
Daniels will not be solely a superb defender – he is likely one of the finest ball hawks of all time. Through the common season of 2024-25, he turned the primary twenty first century participant to file 225+ interceptions after ending with 229. He additionally turned the primary participant of the twenty first century to a median of three.0 interceptions per recreation, the eleventh finest model within the historical past of the NBA. Daniels has legitimately swaying matches for the Hawks this season along with his skill to drive thefts.
Daniels had 98 extra interceptions than the closest participant (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 131). His hole of 98 flights between him and Gilgeous-Alexander is similar hole as Gilgeous-Alexander (2nd) and the 9 gamers tied for an important flights within the League this season. Its 98 -flight advance is the biggest between n ° 1 and n ° 2 within the historical past of the NBA, by Elias Sports activities. Upon coming into this season, the biggest distinction between n ° 1 and n ° 2 was Alvin Robertson (301 interceptions) on the cheeks of Mauritius (207 interceptions) for a distinction in 94 interceptions in 1985-1986. Robertson was appointed defensive participant of the 12 months this season.
The checklist of achievements for Daniels this 12 months is wonderful:
As talked about above, it was important to acquire victories from Atlanta once they wanted it:
His angle on the defensive was contagious for the Hawks this season and he led everybody to boost his degree of play. What ought to have the group of the Hawks and the excited followers are the truth that it was solely his third season within the NBA and his first as a leaving. He must be a key member of the Hawks crew sooner or later and if this 12 months is a sign, he will probably be one of many first defenders of the NBA and will probably be within the operating for extra costs.
Not solely was Daniels talked about for Dpoy, however he additionally skilled huge development on the offensive facet and was some of the improved gamers. His offensive enhancements helped him keep within the area. As a full -time starter for the Hawks, Daniels recorded on common summit in a match per match (14.1), rebounds per recreation (5.9), support per recreation (4.4), flights per recreation (3.01), blocks per recreation (0.72), a share of targets on the sphere (0.493%) and a share (0.340%). He noticed will increase from 2023-24 to 2024-25: +8.3 ppg, +2.0 RPG, +1.7 APG, +1.62 SPG, +0.31 BPG, +.046 FG%, +.029 3fg%. He has been the third participant for a minimum of 1973-1974 to have will increase of +8.0 ppg, +2.0 RPG, +1.5 APG and 1.5 SPG from one season to the subsequent, by Elias Sports activities (min. 50 video games performed). Daniels scored greater than 20 factors 12 instances in his profession (all season) and greater than 10 factors 78 instances in his profession (60 this season). As well as, he had 13 video games with greater than 10 factors and greater than 5 interceptions this season, essentially the most since 1996-1997 (Mookie Blaylock: 13).
Daniels have to be extension this summer season and will probably be properly gained. Earlier than the Hawks negotiated for him, there have been a variety of questions concerning the Hawks sooner or later and though a few of these questions stay, Daniels gave them a younger defensive star to assist construct. It could appear loopy to say that Daniels can at all times enhance, however he did all of it throughout his first 12 months as a starter. The Hawks could be sensible to increase this off -season, then see what’s in retailer. Total, it was a slam dunk of a job for Hawks and Daniels will probably be a central factor of the crew for the years to come back.
International grade: A +
2024-2025 Seasonal grades of the Atlanta Hawks: Clint Capela
2024-25 Seasonal grades of the Atlanta Hawks: Dominick Barlow
NBA Commerce Rumors: Atlanta would have proven his curiosity in a attainable choice for Kevin Durant or Devin Booker
