Dyson Daniels did not win the 2024-25 Defensive Player of the Year award, finishing second in the voting.
He is just the third guard to finish in the top two in voting since 1996, but Hawks star and teammate Trae Young knows there are greater heights for Daniels. Young touted Daniels’ candidacy throughout the regular season.
To that end, the four-time All-Star offered a word of encouragement to Daniels.
“Motivation @DysonDaniels,” Young posted on X on April 24. “Real ones know. 1of1 #RealDPOY.”
Young is not alone. The Athletic’s David Aldridge and Josh Robbins polled 13 head and assistant coaches to get their take. Daniels led the way with six first-place votes. Lu Dort (Oklahoma City Thunder) and then Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors) followed.
“Dyson Daniels has established himself as one of the elite perimeter defenders in the league, leading the league in steals and doing some things we haven’t seen in a long time,” one of the anonymous coaches told Aldridge and Robbins. “He has good instincts, he’s opportunistic and he operates within the team defensive scheme. He picks his spots, and as you operate offensively, you have to be cognizant of where he is and how you protect the ball.”
A second coach called Daniels “walking steal” and “so disruptive.” Yet another coach was equally as effusive with their praise for Daniels.
“We were always on high alert when he was on the ball,” the third coach told The Athletic. “Certain things that he does, you just can’t really teach. He just has these catlike instincts that make an incredible impact for his team.”
Daniels finished second for the award behind Cleveland Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley.
Dyson Daniels plays difficult position in difficult situation with Hawks
Mobley’s defensive on-off differential was some 23 points better than Daniels, per Cleaning The Glass.
However, context should matter, and Mobley’s supporting cast has proven to be better defenders than the Hawks, and Daniels matches up with ball-handlers. The Cavs’ big man is just that, matching up with 4s and 5s.
DPOY has long been a big man’s award.
Marcus Smart’s victory in 2022 is proving to be the outlier rather than a true changing of the guard in terms of the voting.
Daniels still has a shot at winning Most Improved Player, and he should also be assured of a spot on an All-Defensive team. With the Hawks failing to make the playoffs and go on a postseason run, DPOY was the highest individual honor Daniels could have received.
He is in line for a significant raise on a new contract, the question is when it will get done.