NBA Notes: Hawks, Dyson Daniels, Mavericks, Dereck Lively, Nets

Hawks

The Hawks are locking in one of their cornerstone defenders for the long haul. Guard Dyson Daniels has agreed to a four-year, $100 million rookie-scale extension, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

There are no team or player options on the deal, according to The Athletic’s Fred Katz.

Daniels’ breakout came after last summer’s blockbuster that sent Dejounte Murray to New Orleans. Once he landed in Atlanta, the 22-year-old became a defensive tone-setter and a nightly matchup headache for opposing guards.

He went on to win Most Improved Player, earn First Team All-Defense, and finish as runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year — while piling up 229 steals, the most in a season since Gary Payton in 1995-96.

Daniels averaged 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 3.0 steals last year while shooting 49.3 percent from the floor.

The extension keeps him in Atlanta through at least 2030, though it remains unclear whether Trae Young will be alongside him for the long term. Young has a $48 million player option on his contract for 2026-27 and could become a free agent after the season.

Mavericks

Dallas has officially picked up Dereck Lively II’s fourth-year option, locking in his $7.24 million salary for 2026-27, the team announced.

The 21-year-old center has quietly become a key piece for the Mavericks’ defense and rim-running game, averaging 8.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks on 72.9 percent shooting through his first two seasons.

Injuries have been the only hiccup. Lively appeared in just 36 games last season due to foot issues but was back on the court this preseason and is expected to start Wednesday against San Antonio.

Nets

Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez has a rare challenge in developing five rookies at once, writes C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News.

That includes first-rounders Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Ben Saraf, and Danny Wolf, who transferred from Yale to Michigan before entering the draft.

Fernandez said the point guard battle between Demin, Traore, and Saraf remains ongoing.

“All three have done good things,” he said, via Zach Braziller of the New York Post. “If somebody can’t sustain what we’re asking, then that creates an opportunity for another. That’s the competition we want.”

Wolf, described as “cerebral,” will also be watched closely for how his IQ translates to the pros, Holmes wrote.

Basically, the Nets’ experiment of balancing development and competitiveness could define their season.