Dyson Daniels has been a consistent bright spot for the Atlanta Hawks since day one, and some will find that ironic given his struggles from the three-point line. Although his offense is a work in progress, his current defensive skillset could put him in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year.
Daniels has dominated his opponents so far this season
We’re only two games into the 2026-27 NBA season, and it’s clear that Daniels is a man on a mission. He came out of the gates hot against the Orlando Magic.
Dyson finished the game with five steals, but it clearly wasn't enough. Shortly after the Hawks defeated the Magic, they flew to Charlotte for their first meeting with the Hornets.
Entering the halls of their divisional rivals lit a fire under the team, and Daniels set the tone early. He blocked Hornets star Brandon Miller on the three-point line and stole the ball from Christian Anderson one minute later.
The 23-year-old caused havoc all over the court. His effort was contagious, and it encouraged the rest of the Hawks to follow suit. Jalen Johnson has been criticized for his defensive effort in the past, but he finished the game with three steals.
Atlanta got two more steals from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Daniels contributed seven, nearly tying his personal record of eight. Even with just a two-game sample, there’s no denying Dyson’s place as one of the best defenders on the planet.
We’re seeing Daniels separate himself from the competition
He’s gained the league's respect, earning All-Defense honors the last two years in Atlanta. Daniels was on the second team, a step back from his first team status in 2025.
Some thought Dyson was snubbed last season, but it pales in comparison to the race the year prior. In a stroke of unfortunate luck, Victor Wembanyama was sidelined for most of his sophomore year with a blood clot in his right shoulder.
His absence kicked the doors wide open for all the other candidates. Daniels was one of them, and rightfully so. He led the league in steals (3.0) and finished the season with an incredible 229 total steals.
Although he poured his heart out every night, Cleveland's Evan Mobley claimed the award. Daniels came in second, and fast-forward to today, it’s clear he’s hellbent on becoming the first non-big man to win the award since Marcus Smart in 2022.
The stars have aligned for the young Australian to finally make his dream come true. With the Hawks playing the way they are, they’re bound to make the postseason as well.
Atlanta’s strong team record will only increase Daniels’ chances of winning DPOY. A large part of their success will come from Dyson, and if he keeps stealing the ball at a ridiculous rate, he’ll certainly be a candidate to achieve one of his biggest goals.
Add us as a preferred source on Google