Last outside season, the Hawks and Pelicans did an exchange. Atlanta sent All-Star Guard Dejounde Murray to the Pelicans in exchange for players and picks. In that deal they received 21-year-old Dyson Daniels.
He is in his third professional season and his first with the Hawks. Daniels has an elite length for his position and he is one of the top wing defenders in the NBA this season. In 2024-25, Daniels was eligible for the all-defensive first team.
Dyson Daniels blooms in his first season with the Hawks
Dyson Daniels this season:
13.9 PPG
5.4 RPG
4.0 APG
3.0 SPGThe first player to be on average in a season since Scottie Pips on average. pic.twitter.com/lwxvHZZVB2
– Statmuse (@statmuse) February 13, 2025
With the eighth pick in the NBA design of 2022, the Pelicans selected Dyson Daniels. He went to Bendendo South East College in Australia before he was taken by New Orleans. As Rookie, Daniels played in 59 games for the Pelicans and made 11 starts. In 2023-24, Daniels played in 61 games and made 16 starts for the Pelicans. During his first two seasons on average (4.8) points and (1.0) steals per match. During his first season with the Hawks, he improved his game in different ways.
Daniels steals on average (1.4) per match last season. His (3.0) steals per match in 2024-25 the NBA. Moreover, Daniels leads the NBA in deflections with 296. He has almost 100 more deflections than the second nearest player. Dyson Daniels has always had the tools to be an elite defending player. It all comes together for him in year three. He is a candidate for the all-defensive first team.
In addition to one of the best wing defenders in the NBA, Daniels has improved his attacking production. In the first two seasons of his career on average (4.8) points per match. In 2024-25, Daniels will be on average (13.9). There is still offensive work to do, but Daniels has been a huge addition to the Hawks. If he can continue to develop during attack, he could become an elite two -way player in the NBA.
