Dyson Daniels has taken “three and D” to a brand new stage in 2024-2025. As he continues to thrive alongside Trae Younger with the Atlanta Hawks, Daniels’ defensive and capturing numbers are on tempo to set a brand new NBA report.
Over his first 32 video games of the season, Daniels shortly turned one of many league’s elite defenders, main the NBA with 3.2 steals per recreation. He is additionally grow to be a serviceable exterior risk, averaging 1.2 three-pointers per recreation. If these numbers maintain up by the tip of the yr, Daniels grow to be the primary participant averaged 3+ steals and 1+ three-pointers per recreation, in accordance with StatMuse.
Daniels’ 3.2 steals per recreation exceed each different participant within the league. Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey is second with 2.1 steals per recreation, a couple of fewer full takedown. Daniels’ complete of 101 steals in 32 video games is 31 greater than Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s second with 70.
Though he’s extremely thought to be a defender, Daniels has additionally grow to be a decent scorer. The third-year guard is averaging 12.8 factors, 4.9 rebounds and three.5 assists. He began each recreation he performed this yr.
Daniels first landed with the Hawks as a part of the commerce that despatched Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans drafted him with the No. 8 choose within the 2022 NBA Draft, however failed to finish two years with the staff. Daniels has since known as New Orleans a “cursed” franchise whereas expressing his gratitude to Atlanta.
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Hawks’ Dyson Daniels makes case for All-Protection
Hawks followers initially spit on the return the staff acquired for Murray, however Daniels has grow to be arguably the second Most worthy participant on the roster. Though he’s solely the fourth main scorer, Daniels’ elite protection makes him the proper piece the group was in search of to offset Younger’s legal responsibility in that regard.
Defensive gamers by no means turned family names, however Daniels turned a very widespread determine on social media due to his fast arms. Followers are wowed by his jaw-dropping steal numbers, which make it seem like he is taking part in NBA 2K25 in rookie mode.
In flip, followers have been clamoring for the 21-year-old to affix the All-Protection First Crew by the tip of the yr. A small variety of followers have additionally lobbied for Daniels’ Defensive Participant of the 12 months award, though that award seems to be firmly in Victor Wembanyama’s arms. Wembanyama at the moment leads the league with 4.0 blocks per recreation.
Jaren Kawada is an affiliate NFL, school soccer and betting editor at ClutchPoints. Kawada was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, however now resides in Indianapolis, Indiana, after incomes a bachelor’s diploma in sports activities media from Butler College.
