Dyson Daniels is capable of carrying a defense to the upper-half of the league entirely on his own. It's no surprise Atlanta's team defense has improved every year he's been there.
He doesn't need help. Help is welcome, but it's not needed. When an organization has an opportunity to double and triple down on their developing identity, though, they always should. Especially if it's clearly translating to wins.
Atlanta went all out this offseason in surrounding Dyson Daniels with defensive players near his caliber. He can keep doing what he's always done on that end, but he won't be alone in his efforts. Not in any way.
A roster full of like-minded players can be a gift and a curse
It all depends on the maturity of the group.
Luckily for all parties involved, the most prominent members of the Hawks' young core are mature beyond their years. Enter the several veterans they brought in this summer, and they should be confident about the direction they're heading.
Who knows? Maybe it'll be what ends up taking them over the hump.
Again, not all players react the same to their responsibilities being lessened. Dyson Daniels, however, doesn't see it as that.
"I wouldn't say there's pressure to be the best defender, or whatever, that's just what my natural game is," Daniels said at media day. "It's what got me to the NBA, it's what I built my game on."
Everyone knows what Daniels can do on that end. In the 2024-25 season - his breakout campaign and first year with the Hawks - he won Most Improved Player, and had a legitimate shot at Defensive Player of the Year, as well.
With each new addition, though, he may not have to hold as much defensive responsibility as he did that season. It doesn't mean he can't replicate a similar impact. The numbers never paint a full picture of his importance to the team's success.
A healthy Atlanta squad might be the best defensive team in the NBA
He continued, "Having multiple guys come in that can defend, it just makes it tougher on everyone. A lot of the NBA nowadays is trying to create switches and go at advantages in different matchups, and when you've got guys that can defend out there, it's a lot harder to do that."
Asked Dyson Daniels if he feels more or less pressure being surrounded with a better defensive roster each year since coming to Atlanta:
— Zach Langley (@ZachLangleyNBA) September 28, 2026
"I wouldn't say there's pressure ... a lot of the NBA nowadays is trying to create switches."
"We've got a really good defensive group."
Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins were two of Oklahoma City's best defenders when they won the championship in 2025. The Thunder certainly wouldn't have won it all without them. Now, they're in Atlanta, joining the already-established defensive-minded core.
Don't forget about Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dorian Finney-Smith and Zuby Ejiofor, either.
Daniels finished with the ultimate stamp of confidence in the make-up of his squad:
"We've got a really good defensive group. We've just got to go out there and show it."
Hawks fans have really only seen Dyson Daniels operate with a hefty nightly responsibility to make up for any limitations on the end he excels. It doesn't seem any of those limitations will carry over into this new era.
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