Dyson Daniels wasn't the surest prospect coming out of the G League Ignite - while his length, athleticism, and early feel for playmaking shot him up draft boards, his lack of a sure outside shot sank his upside drastically.
Now entering year five in his young career, the concern hasn't vanished - if anything, it's devolved into complete pandemonium. Last season, Dyson broke all kinds of records with his outside shooting - none of which being desirable.
What if we went back in time five years, and entered into a reality where Dyson's shot was there from the beginning?
Fortunately, there's no need to traverse space and time - enter Dash Daniels.
Dash is quickly shedding last season's woes
Dash didn't receive a ton of burn last year for SE Melbourne Phoenix. As a result, he quickly fell down draft boards - where he was once mocked in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery, he ended up falling further and further down, ultimately electing to spend another year overseas, and declare for the 2027 NBA Draft.
Dash squared off against his former team last week, finishing with an efficient 15 points, including three triples and the victory. It seems Dyson's shooting woes may be scaring Dash in the right direction - and early on, at that.
While the cards didn't quite fall the way Hawks fans may have hoped - Dash didn't declare for the 2026 draft, where he surely would have been an elite value add in the mid-late second round - they'll still have a very realistic shot at drafting the younger Daniels, no matter where he ends up next June.
The Milwaukee & New Orleans pick - more valuable than ever
Conveniently enough, Atlanta owns the rights to the worst of the Pelicans' and Bucks' first round picks next season (with a small caveat, if both end up top-4, New Orleans receives both).
Barring the ludicrously unlikely scenario where the Pels land both picks, Atlanta will likely be selecting right around where they did this summer - the mid lottery. If Dash keeps up his promising sophomore season overseas, don't be shocked if he ascends to this range.
Even if Daniels doesn't get to the realm of the lottery like he was once projected to appear within, Atlanta should certainly waste no time pairing the Daniels brothers together. Atlanta's building an elite defensive powerhouse, and Dash would be the perfect addition to bolster Onsi's ranks.
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