Hawks’ Daniels stealing show in Atalnta

• Get NBA League Pass TODAY >
Can the young guard keep up the defensive production?
When the Atlanta Hawks traded Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans, much of the attention centered on the two first-round picks Atlanta received in exchange. But the Hawks didn’t just gain draft capital—they also acquired Dyson Daniels, a young point guard who had yet to carve out a significant role in New Orleans. So far, Daniels has proven to be a valuable addition, particularly with his standout defense. Ball handlers, take note—Daniels has you in his crosshairs.
In just 10 games, Daniels has totaled 36 steals, averaging an impressive 3.6 steals per game. That’s the most steals through 10 games since Allen Iverson in 2003.
Born in Australia, Daniels came to the U.S. to join the G League Ignite program and was selected by the Pelicans with the eight-overall pick in the 2022 Draft. Daniels did not carve out a major role in New Orleans. He was young, raw and playing for a team with postseason ambitions.
Last season, he averaged 22.3 minutes per game, mostly coming off the bench, with an average of 1.4 steals per contest. Daniels is only 21, but the Hawks have given him a starting role alongside Trae Young. While Young remains the metronome of the Atlanta offense, Daniels has carved out a role with his defensive tenacity.
Ten players have averaged at least 3.0 steals per game over the course of a season. Four of those instances belong to Alvin Robertson, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year who is the only player in NBA history to average 3.6 steals per game. Daniels will remain in rarified air if he can stay above 3.0 steals per game, though.
Additionally, the young guard is averaging 14.3 points and just dropped a career-high 28 points against the Celtics. While Daniels’ shooting numbers have a lot of room for improvement, Daniels has proved himself on the defensive end. That’s especially true if you are an opposing player dribbling down the court.