On Facebook
On Flipboard
Dyson Daniels steals his way to Most Improved Player Award
When the New Orleans Pelicans traded Dyson Daniels to the Atlanta Hawks, the young guard was happy to escape his old team's " curse." Now he's the NBA's Most Improved Player.
The greatest trade steal of 2024 has already broken out in Atlanta.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) December 13, 2024
My latest for @TheSteinLine catches up with Dyson Daniels, on his thievery with the Hawks, escaping the Pelicans injury “curse,” and what’s fueled his third-season rise: https://t.co/REHvED0q1A
Daniels beat out fellow finalists Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons and Ivica Zubac of the Los Angeles Clippers to win the George Mikan Trophy for the NBA player who displayed the most improvement. All of the third-year guard's numbers went way up with the Hawks, both his totals and his percentages.
Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels has won the 2024-25 NBA Most Improved Player of the Year award. He’s the fifth player to average at least 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in a season, joining Michael Ray Richardson, Magic Johnson, Alvin Robertson and Michael Jordan pic.twitter.com/xXiCT9I2p4
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) April 30, 2025
His scoring went from 5.8 points to 14.1, his rebounds from 3.9 to 5.9, his assists from 2.7 to 4.4 and his steals went from 1.4 to a league-leading three per game. Not only did he lead the NBA in steals, he was the first qualifying player to average three steals again since Alvin Robertson in 1990-91.
Daniels had a case to be named Defensive Player of the Year this season as well, due to how disruptive his defense has been and how far ahead of the pack he is. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was second in steals with 131. Daniels had nearly 100 more than that, finishing with 229.
It's a similar story when it comes to deflections. Daniels led the NBA with 443 deflections. The next closest player was Keon Ellis with 272, meaning Daniels had 63 percent more deflections than his closest competition.
While the defense alone showed tremendous improvement, Daniels also shot nearly 50 percent from the field and upped his three-point percentage from 31 percent to 34 percent and sank 100 more three-pointers.
The Pelicans drafted Daniels with the No. 8 pick in the 2022 draft, but he simply didn't get opportunities in New Orleans. Given a chance to thrive in Atlanta, he's looking like a foundational piece for their future, alongside Jalen Johnson and top overall pick Zaccharie Risacher. And since Daniels only turned 22 in March, this season likely won't be the end of his improvement.
More must-reads:
- Cade Cunningham's snub keeps the spirit of NBA Most Improved Player award
- Clippers are in trouble if James Harden continues to slump
- The 'NBA Summer League MVPs' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Magic Predicted To Trade For $208 Million NBA Champion To Form Electric Backcourt With Desmond Bane
Celtics Notes: Free Agent Wants to Sign With Boston, Jaylen Brown Disrespect, Signing Urged
The uncertainty surrounding the Boston Celtics this offseason, especially at the big man position, has another new wrinkle added, as a free agent made his intentions known about signing with the team. After there was reason to believe he would play overseas, there is a desire to stay in North America, and to do so on the parquet. Additionally, superstar Jaylen Brown has been disrespected in the latest player rankings from an NBA.com insider. The Finals MVP certainly has reason to have been higher on the list, but perhaps his on-court play will do all the talking this season. Finally, the Celtics are urged to sign a 'wildcard' Jayson Tatum replacement. A key insider believes that a 22-year-old wing has yet to show his truest potential, and it can possibly be brought out in Boston. Here’s more information on these stories and all the latest Celtics news (click the headline for the full article): Free Agent Big Man Wants to Sign With Celtics in Shocking Turn of Events Celtics Star Jaylen Brown Lands Shockingly Low in New Player Rankings Celtics Urged to Sign 'Wildcard' Jayson Tatum Replacement Celtics Brutally Disrespected in Latest NBA Power Rankings Former Celtics All-Defensive Teamer Gets Honest About Guarding Lakers' Kobe Bryant Celtics Receive Brutal Grade for Offseason Work Celtics Tweets of the Day: For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visit Boston Celtics on SI.
Bills GM says James Cook decision was 'disappointing'
On Monday, Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane responded to James Cook's decision not to practice with the team on Sunday. Cook, who had been practicing with the Bills through training camp until that point amid contract negotiations, told ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg that he made a "business" decision not to practice with his teammates. During an appearance on WGR 550, Beane said the team did not know of Cook's plan until right before practice. He was disappointed that the situation deteriorated to a point where the star running back felt the need to miss a practice. "There's been constant communication between the two sides....at the end of the day I wish we weren't here," Beane said, via WGR's Sal Capaccio. "This is my ninth season and have never had a player miss practice due too a contract, so it's disappointing for me." Beane doesn't believe Cook's negotiations will cause a distraction in the locker room unless players "let it become" a distraction. The negotiations between the Bills and Cook could continue past training camp. "We'd love to keep him, but I have to make sure it all fits under an umbrella, not in a silo... If we don't get something done now it doesn't mean we can't before (Cook) becomes a free agent," Beane said. Cook is looking for a $15 million per year deal after earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance and earning the NFL rushing touchdowns co-leader (tied with Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs with 16) in 2024. Beane said he isn't taking a hard line on not paying Cook because he's a running back, saying the Bills want to sign him at the "sweet spot." The Bills need the "sweet spot" to come sooner rather than later. It's common for teams to deal with sit-outs and holdouts during the preseason. What Buffalo doesn't want is a distraction during the regular season or postseason, and that could be where this is headed.
Aaron Boone addresses Alex Rodriguez’s criticism of Yankees
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone responded Sunday, one day after Alex Rodriguez suggested his team lacks discipline and accountability. On FOX’s MLB pregame show Saturday, Rodriguez questioned the “accountability” of the Yankees after Boone did not pull Jazz Chisholm from Saturday’s loss to Miami after the infielder made a brutal baserunning blunder. Rodriguez suggested that the Yankees do not face consequences for such mistakes, and that it has contributed to further errors. “If any one of us made a mistake, we would be sitting our butt right on the bench,” Rodriguez said. “I see mistake after mistake, and there’s no consequences.” Boone took issue with those remarks when asked about them on Sunday. He said he accepts that the Yankees will always face added scrutiny, but that he disagreed with the substance of Rodriguez’s remarks. “I would disagree a little bit with the accountability factor, but the reality is, we’re focused every day on being the best we can be,” Boone said, via Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. “That’s how we have to do it. But I understand when it doesn’t happen, or we don’t have the record that I think we should have, or certainly people think we should have — that comes with the territory.” Boone is known for keeping things positive publicly, even when things are going poorly for the Yankees. That has led to some criticism from fans, who feel that he goes too easy on his players when they are underperforming. The team’s recent stretch of mediocre play combined with a lack of consequences for errors like Chisholm’s have reinforced those critiques. The Yankees lost again on Sunday and were swept by the Marlins, dropping them to 60-51 on the season. Until the team starts consistently winning again, Boone is going to hear more comments like Rodriguez’s.
Saints quarterback has 'convincing lead' in training camp battle
The New Orleans Saints' three-way quarterback competition is narrowing before the team's first preseason contest against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Per Ross Jackson of Louisiana Sports, second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler has looked the best at training camp this summer, going 83-of-114 passing (72.8 percent) for eight touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and four interceptions. Rattler is beating out rookie Tyler Shough. The second-round pick has completed just 62 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and three interceptions. 2023 fourth-round pick Jake Haener has completed 69.6 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and one Interception. Jackson believes first-year head coach Kellen Moore is priming Rattler as the favorite to start in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. "Over the team’s 10 practices, these three young passers have seen their chance to earn the starting role to begin the season in a rotation of first-team reps," Jackson wrote. "But there are decisions the Saints have made in the process that indicate a favorite. "After looking over individual performance stats, practice rep distribution and the team’s treatment of each quarterback throughout the important and highly-productive scrimmages on camp day 10, it’s become clear that Rattler is comfortably in the lead, for now." Jackson thinks Rattler can fend off his "convincing lead" for the starting job if he plays competently against the Chargers on Sunday. Rattler feels like the safe choice for Moore over Shough and Haener, at least to start the regular season. He appeared in seven games and started in six in 2024. Rattler played inconsistently as a rookie, throwing four touchdowns to five interceptions. However, he's had time to develop. Given his numbers in training camp, Rattler appears to be the most polished quarterback before the regular season. Shough could eventually develop into the Saints' best option, but the rookie's completion percentage against friendly competition at camp is low before he even faces live action in the preseason.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
