Age: 22 years old
Role: Starting Guard
Stats: 14.1 points per game, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 0.7 blocks, 3.6 steals on 49/34/59 shooting splits (33.8 minutes per game in 76 games played this season)
Back in 2025-26: Yes
When the Hawks made the trade to send Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans for Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance, and two first round picks, there was hope amongst Hawks fans and the team that Atlanta had found a diamond in the rough and a potential perfect backcourt teammate for Trae Young. Even the most optimistic member of the Hawks could not have seen what was coming from Daniels.
Daniels had a historic season for Atlanta, becoming one of the premier defenders in the NBA and winning games with his ability to steal the ball away. Not only that, but Daniels saw huge growth on the offensive end as well.
Daniels isn't just a good defender - he's one of the best ball hawks ever. In the 2024-25 regular season, he became the first player in the 21st century to record 225+ steals after finishing with 229. He also became the first player in the 21st century to average 3.0 steals per game, the 11th best mark in NBA history. Daniels legitimately swung games for the Hawks this season with his ability to force steals.
Daniels owned 98 more steals than the next closest player (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 131). His 98-steal gap between himself and Gilgeous-Alexander is the same gap as Gilgeous-Alexander (2nd) and the nine players tied for the 265th-most steals in the league this season. His 98-steal lead is the largest between No. 1 and No. 2 in NBA history, per Elias Sports. Entering this season, the largest gap between No. 1 and No. 2 was Alvin Robertson (301 steals) over Maurice Cheeks (207 steals) for a difference of 94 steals in 1985-86. Robertson was named Defensive Player of the Year that season.
The list of accomplishments for Daniels this year are staggering:
- He's the first player since Rajon Rondo (2010-11) to have a steal/foul ratio of 1.2-or-higher (min. 150 steals).
- He led Atlanta to a 10-spot defensive rating improvement from 2023-24 to 2024-25 (118.4 drtg to 114.8 drtg).
- Owns the most 4+ steal games (27) in the NBA since 1993-94 (Nate McMillan) and the most 5+ steal games (14) since 2010-11 (Chris Paul).
- Tallied 443 total deflections, the most in a single season since the league began tracking the stat.
- Recovered 79 loose balls during the 2024-25 campaign, the second-most by any player in the NBA.
- Inaugural Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month and one of only two players to be named a two-time Defensive Player of the Month (October/November and March).
As mentioned above, he was critical for getting Atlanta wins when they needed it most:
His attitude on the defensive end was infectious for the Hawks this season and he got everyone to raise their level of play. What should have the Hawks organization and fans excited is the fact that this was only his third season in the NBA and his first one as a starter. He should be a key member of the Hawks team going forward and if this year is any indication, he is going to be one of the premier defenders in the NBA and be in contention for more awards.
Not only was Daniels mentioned for DPOY, he also saw tremendous growth on the offensive end and was one of the most improved players. His offensive improvements helped him stay on the court. As a full time starter for the Hawks, Daniels averaged career highs in points per game (14.1), rebounds per game (5.9), assists per game (4.4), steals per game (3.01), blocks per game (0.72), field goal percentage (.493%) and three-point percentage (.340%). He saw increases 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 is the third player since at least 1973-74 to own increases of +8.0 PPG, +2.0 RPG, +1.5 APG and 1.5 SPG from one season to the next, per Elias Sports (min. 50 games played). Daniels has scored 20+ points 12 times in his career (all this season) and 10+ points 78 times in his career (60 this season). Furthermore, he had 13 games with 10+ points and 5+ steals this season, the most since 1996-97 (Mookie Blaylock: 13).
Daniels is due for an extension this summer and it is going to be well earned. Before the Hawks traded for him, there were plenty of questions about the Hawks going into the future and while some of those questions remain, Daniels has given them a young defensive star to help build around. It might sound crazy to say that Daniels can still get better, but he did all of this in his first year as a starter. The Hawks would be wise to extend him this offseason and then see what is in store. All in all, this was a slam dunk of a trade for the Hawks and Daniels is going to be a core piece of the team for years to come.
Overall Grade: A+
Additional Links
2024-2025 Atlanta Hawks Season Grades: Clint Capela
2024-25 Atlanta Hawks Season Grades: Dominick Barlow
More must-reads: