The Atlanta Hawks are one of the more underrated surprises of the season, especially considering the doubts they faced entering the season.
Dyson Daniels has been a big part of that, and it looks like his old team is having regrets. He arrived with a reputation as a strong defender. But he showcased the ability to handle more responsibility during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
His offense still comes and goes, but he has been better than advertised overall.
“He came over there from New Orleans – obviously, New Orleans struggling with the injury bug. Hard to judge that team,” SportsNet New York’s Ian Begley said on “The Putback” podcast on December 12. “One thing that is being judged: I'm told that highest members of the organization over there are questioning why they put Dyson Daniels in that trade. They're upset about it.
“As you continue to watch that Pelican team, it's just something worth noting because Daniels … having a fantastic year.”
You've been thieved pic.twitter.com/rf04X4EChw
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 14, 2024
Daniels is averaging career-highs with 13.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and a league-leading 3.0 steals per game. His being in the starting lineup has limited the plans for him to back up Trae Young at point guard.
His play is expected to land him a new contract with restricted free agency looming in 2026.
“Daniels won’t turn 22 until March,” Jake Fischer wrote for The Stein Line on December 13. “His own upcoming payday — yes, that’s coming — looks as though it will be well-deserved.”
The Hawks have a history of extending their young players that predates the current front office setup but has also continued through it. They signed Jalen Johnson to a five-year, $150 million contract extension at this year’s deadline, perhaps foreshadowing what is to come for Daniels.
Granted, the Hawks drafted Johnson.
But Daniels was a key part of the Hawks’ return for Dejounte Murray he has made them look wiser for insisting upon his inclusion in the deal.
“The Pelicans weren't anxious to trade Daniels in the package for Murray last summer and tried to keep him out of the deal, sources said, but the Hawks badly wanted someone who could help protect Young on defense,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst wrote in November. “New Orleans had already paid Herb Jones and was lining up to pay wing Trey Murphy III -- they ultimately gave him $112 million over four years -- and that made Daniels expendable.”
Daniels lamented suffering from the “curse” around the Pelicans, though he did not blame them.
Murray has been bitten by the bug since joining the organization, missing 17 games after suffering a fractured hand in the season opener.