Hawks would be foolish to let Dyson Daniels slip away

Dyson Daniels emerged as an ideal partner for Trae Young last season. For years, the Atlanta Hawks have been searching for a defensive-minded guard to pair with their offensive superstar. 

Dejounte Murray was supposed to be that guy, but his need for touches to be valuable on offense ensured that the partnership didn't blossom as expected. Daniels is among the best defensive guards/wings in the NBA. He thrives as a point-of-attack defender, can switch multiple positions and understands how to control the angles. It's no surprise that with his increased role last season, he was crowned the league's Most Improved Player.

Unfortunately, that accolade has left the Hawks between a rock and a hard place. Daniels is in the final year of his current contract. Yet, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Hawks and Daniels are currently "far apart" in negotiations. 

"I'm hearing there's indeed some distance between Daniels and the Hawks in the early stages of these negotiations," Fischer wrote. "The Hawks, on one hand, could certainly take the stance that they have yet to see how effective Daniels can be in a playoff environment given his past shooting inconsistencies.

"Yet it's likewise true that Daniels is the NBA's reigning Most Improved Player, who also made a run at Defensive Player of the Year last season. He would thus figure to be a restricted free agent in demand next summer — if it got that far — even if RFAs in 2026 are confronted by another suffocating marketplace."

Hawks can't lose Dyson Daniels when building around Trae Young

Young is also a potential free agent next summer. He has a player option for the 2026-27 season. However, he will likely opt out to pursue a longer-term deal, either in Atlanta or elsewhere.

If the Hawks plan on keeping Young around beyond this season, they must ensure Daniels is his partner in the backcourt. They already know how hard it is to find someone who covers for Young's defensive limitations. In Daniels, they have the ideal partner for their superstar, and that should be a key foundation in building toward a championship.

With that in mind, it's logical that the Hawks wait to figure out Young's future before committing to Daniels. After all, if Young leaves, Daniels' overall value to the franchise will slightly diminish. All sides project to be locked in a waiting game.

Trae Young's future with Hawks is "murky" 

According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Young's long-term future with the Hawks is uncertain. 

"The long-term outlook for Trae Young in Atlanta is murky at the minimum at this point. This is a guy who has been the face of the Atlanta Hawks for seven years. He’s averaged 25 and 10. You know, just led the league in assists. His offensive production has been elite. But there are question marks about whether this is going to, you know, be a long-term marriage."