Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Dyson Daniels has history on his side in DPOY race

By Matt Evans | Last updated Apr 10, 2025 1:09 PM ET

In a league where the Defensive Player of the Year award has traditionally favored rim-protecting big men, Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels is mounting a rare and compelling case from the perimeter — and is doing so at a historic pace.

On Sunday night, Daniels notched three steals in Atlanta’s 147-134 win over the Utah Jazz, bringing his career total to 350. According to StatMamba, only LeBron James reached that milestone at a younger age, making the Australian the second-youngest player in NBA history to do so.

The 22-year-old is redefining the modern defensive guard. He leads the league with 276 combined steals and blocks — or “stocks” — and is on track to become the first guard to top that category since Michael Jordan in 1987-88. Jordan went on to win Defensive Player of the Year that season.

Dyson Daniels secured his NBA-leading 275th stock (steals + blocks) in tonight’s game. The 2x Defensive Player of the Month is on pace to be the first guard to lead the NBA in stocks since Michael Jordan in 1987-88. Jordan was named the Defensive Player of the Year that season.
— Hawks PR (@HawksPR) April 9, 2025

Daniels’ candidacy goes beyond the numbers, but the numbers are staggering. His 223 steals this season are far and away the most in the league, with Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a distant second at 131.

He’s only the third player since 2000 to record more than 200 steals in a single campaign, joining Chris Paul and Allen Iverson. With two more, he’ll surpass Jordan’s 223 from the 1990-91 season and enter the top 25 for most steals in a single year.

What separates Daniels is his versatility and tenacity. Capable of guarding multiple positions, he’s the engine of Atlanta’s defense, reading passing lanes, hounding ball-handlers and forcing turnovers with elite anticipation and quick hands.

His impact isn’t limited to defense. Once regarded as a specialist, Daniels has blossomed into a capable two-way contributor. He’s averaging a career-high 14.3 points per game on 49.5 percent shooting, including 1.1 made three-pointers per game.

He’s now scored in double figures in six straight outings, averaging 17.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists over that stretch while shooting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc.

With elite defensive instincts and a growing offensive arsenal, Daniels isn’t just a Defensive Player of the Year contender, he’s emerging as one of the NBA’s brightest young stars.

Matt Evans

Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, now based in Paris, France. He has covered various sports including basketball, soccer, boxing, MMA, and motorsports. Over the past decade, Matt has focused heavily on the NBA and has worked with many established outlets on a variety of content

More must-reads: