Dyson Daniels has made a significant impact in his first season with the Atlanta Hawks following a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans. The 21-year-old guard arrived at the Hawks’ training camp a few days early. He wished to adapt as fast as possible to his new environment. His dedication and hard work have paid off, as he has been a standout player, averaging impressive statistics and garnering attention for both the Most Improved Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
That swap that brought Daniels to Atlanta in community trade was made on July 6, 2024 when he was traded to the Hawks in exchange for Dejounte Murray. Daniels told the Associated Press that he was stunned by the announcement. At the time, he was living back home in Australia, training to compete at the Olympics. The transition has proven to be beneficial for him, as he has embraced his new role alongside star player Trae Young.
In his first two full seasons, combined, Daniels played 120 games. His statistics during his freshman season were 4.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Since joining the Hawks, he has completely turned his game around. He is now having 14.1 pts, 5.9 rbs and 4.4 dimes on average. It’s his defensive skills that have made him a truly special player. He was stealing 3.0 passes a game pre-NBA All-Star Break and finished the season with 443 deflections, ranking highest in the league.
Daniels’ defensive skills jump off the page. Daniels has elite defensive chops. He is one of only 15 players in ABA/NBA history to record more than 225 steals in a season. He wreaked havoc on opposing offenses, displayed by his ability to average 1.4 steals per game during the 2023-24 campaign. This shooting display crowned him the league’s most fearsome defensive big man.
Looking back on his stint with the Pelicans, Daniels admitted that he used to play like a “scared child.” This persistent belief limited him from ever being able to express his full talent. It was just so refreshing and amazing. He said, “I got in there in New Orleans and I just took a step back. I let the superstars be the superstars. I didn’t conform to the culture of being a role player… It was my confidence. I was overthinking everything and overkicking and I was in my head too much.”
Daniels’s attitude to everything changed pretty quickly upon joining the Hawks. He thanked the strong foundation that head coach Quin Snyder fostered. He explained, “Coach Q…he never puts you down, he always pumps you up…So, for me personally, that’s all I really needed.” Daniels built confidence by earning first-team reps early in training camp, where he started next to fellow rookie Trae Young. This complementary partnership on the court allowed him to prosper.
Larry Nance Jr., a former teammate of Daniels, praised his development: “From watching him frustrated… to being considered for both the MIP and DPOY, no one is more deserving. The work he put in, the film he watched, and the unseen hours are now on display for everyone to see.” Daniels’s dedication to improving his defensive skills sets him apart from many players who focus primarily on their offensive game.
As one element of his preparation for the upcoming season and the next Olympics, Daniels went deep on training while staying in Australia. He described his time there: “I had a really good six-week training camp before the Olympic campaign.” His commitment to excellence carried over into international competition, where he aimed to stand out: “I came into the Olympics saying, ‘F— it, I’m going to be the best player on the floor every time I step on.’”
Daniels’s evolution from anxious first-year to up-and-coming playmaker is a testament to his hard work and tenacity. He credits his recent success to adopting a free mindset since joining the Hawks: “I came here with a free mind.” As a result, this newfound confidence has elevated his standard of play as well as made him a formidable presence with his peers scattered across the football field.
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