If you're a lead guard on an NBA team going up against a stellar defender, you're at least safe in knowing one thing - they can't be out on the floor for all 48 minutes guarding you. Unless, of course, there are two of them! Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels represent the single fiercest defensive guard duo in the NBA.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels represent the single fiercest defensive guard duo in the NBA. Beyond the obvious eye test - Hawks fans who've watched the two share the court all year long know what I'm talking about - there's a telling statistic that proves it.
NAW and Daniels are two of the top four players in the entire league in turnovers forced - this includes both steals and charges drawn. The only players that share this rarified air are the Portland Trail Blazers' Toumani Camara (1st) and the Oklahoma City Thunder's Cason Wallace (3rd).
No other duo in the entire league both rank top-10 in this statistic, much less top-4 like Alexander-Walker (4th) and Daniels (2nd).
Thanks to their elite guard play on defense, Atlanta has an excellent advantage that few other teams possess. They can draft however they want in the upcoming loaded draft class.
Hawks can go anywhere in 2026 NBA Draft
The top of the 2025-2026 draft class is chock-full of elite two-way talents. Any one of Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, and the Atlanta native (who has defensive superstar written all over him), Caleb Wilson, isn't anything near a defensive liability, in its traditional definition.
That being said, Atlanta has slipped further down the lottery in recent weeks, leading to a pick more likely in the five to eight range than the previously 70 percent-plus odds at a top-four pick. The prospects in this range - while still nothing short of elite and eye-popping - aren't nearly the defenders that the top four generational talents are.
Darius Acuff, Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr., and Kingston Flemings are all 6'6 or shorter lead guards that have been dubbed weaknesses on the defensive end - especially best amongst them, Darius Acuff.
Acuff produced ludicrous offensive numbers all year long. It was typified in March Madness by averaging just shy of 30 points per game. His run ended in the Sweet Sixteen at the hands of a loaded Arizona roster, but NBA GMs are foaming at the mouth to draft the young scoring sensation.
Unfortunately, many teams might have to pass on the youngster due to his defense. Without staunch defenders to flank him, Acuff's (at times) eye-poppingly bad defense almost cancels out his unprecedented volume scoring. This is a problem that Atlanta doesn't have in the slightest.
The same story goes for Wagler, Flemings, and Brown - while not quite the same defensive liability that Acuff has presented himself as, each young guard would benefit immensely from sharing the court with NAW and Daniels.
Should the Hawks luck their way into a top-four pick, Atlanta could trot out a defensive fivesome that could immediately be the second best in the entire league (Wemby just isn't human) - imagine a squad of Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson, Caleb Wilson, and Mo Gueye - phew.
If they don't, however, the alternative isn't all that bad - any of the five to eight ranked guards would be elated to call Daniels and Alexander-Walker their teammates for many years to come.