Wednesday's announcement that Dyson Daniels had won the NBA's Most Improved Player award was more than just a proud moment for Atlanta Hawks fans. It also served as a reminder that this team's roster is in an increasingly good position moving forward, despite what the outside perception may be.
Sure, there's plenty of legitimate questions about Trae Young and his future in Atlanta. But even if you take him out of the equation, the Hawks are still loaded with young and promising talent, and Daniels being recognized for his play this season is just the tip of the iceberg.
First of all, let's take a moment to appreciate just how impressive Dyson Daniels' season was for him to be honored with the MIP award. He led the NBA in total steals during the regular season in 2024-25, with 229 total and averaged 3.0 (!!) per game. That's simply an absurd number, and it was the first time any player in the league averaged that many steals since Alvin Robertson in 1990-91.
Daniels' steals total was the most anyone has logged since Gary Payton in the 1995-96 NBA season. Additionally, he led the league in deflections with 443, as well as deflections per game (5.8). His defensive impact was simply phenomenal all season long.
Daniels' MIP win is reminder of Hawks' solid young core
We all saw the Great Barrier Thief play with tenacity and reckless abandon on defense all season long, and this achievement for Daniels was well-earned. He truly went from an above-average defender in New Orleans to one of the most impactful at that end of the floor in the association in Atlanta this year. Not to mention the fact that he took on a significantly bigger role offensively.
The fact that the Most Improved Player award now sits on Dyson Daniels' shelf serves as a stark reminder that the Hawks are doing just fine when it comes to roster construction. After once being the team tied down with long-term contracts for mediocre players, they are now in more than a good enough spot to move onward and upward.
Daniels, De'Andre Hunter, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, Zaccharie Risacher and others all form an extremely solid young group of guys the Hawks should feel confident in moving forward with. Trae Young can stay or leave in the offseason, and this team will still be in a solid place long-term.
Atlanta is really not as far away from getting back to the level of a consistent playoff contender as some may think. Keep developing these young talents, add some proven veterans, and you can be right back in the mix for top six in the Eastern Conference in no time.