Summer League is known to bring out the best in young players as they are fighting for a spot on an NBA roster. To add to that immense level of pressure, proven stars in the league also enjoy coming out to support them. In Atlanta's Summer League opener last night against the Miami Heat, the 2024-25 Most Improved Player, Dyson Daniels, was courtside with several other Hawks teammates.
They picked the right game to show up to. Atlanta picked up the win in exciting fashion, coming back from a double-digit deficit to start the summer 1-0. Even with Kobe Bufkin's second half heroics, one of the major storylines from last night was what Dyson Daniels said when he was pulled to the side for a mid-game interview.
When asked about Atlanta's offseason moves, Daniels proclaimed, "I think they're great. The front office has done a real good job. I think everyone can see our team as being a real contender now. We are going to have to put it together and play well together and stay healthy, but with the pieces that we've got I think we can work really well together and hopefully go out there and make a run."
Daniels's comments prove the Hawks see themselves as title contenders
That kind of claim should never be taken lightly. Daniels envisions the Hawks being at the top of the East next season. With how wide open the conference will be, his take could age well. It makes sense why Daniels would be the one to make these comments as well. The new additions could unlock his game in a variety of ways and give the Hawks a real boost into title contention.
Atlanta has acquired Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard through free agency and in the trade market so far this offseason. Each of these new pickups can help Daniels' game on both ends in tremendous ways.
Porzingis and Kennard are absolute sharpshooters. With how often Dyson drives and either kicks to the corner or pulls a floater, this new level of spacing is crucial for him. He will have a much easier time getting to his spots on offense.
Alexander-Walker provides a different level of help, this time on the defensive end. The league knows how great of an on-ball defender Dyson Daniels is but his tiresome workload on that side of the ball will be decreased with the addition of Alexander-Walker, a terrifying thought for opposing offenses. Both players can defend multiple positions at a high level and complement eachother on that end.
Dyson is going to be much better next season as a direct result of the new additions from GM Onsi Saleh. His claim calling Atlanta "contenders" might not be too far off if he and everyone around him takes another leap.