Through six games, Dyson Daniels has been Atlanta's best disruptor, with 3.0 steals and only 0.7 turnovers a night. The $25.0M guard now has to turn that defense into enough offense to keep defenses honest.
The Defense Is Real
Daniels, the league's Most Improved Player two seasons ago, has opened with 3.0 steals, 5.2 rebounds and a 108.1 defensive rating in 29.2 minutes. His rebound rate of 8.3% is strong for a guard, and he gives the ball back only 0.7 times a game against 4.5 assists. He and Onyeka Okongwu are still the base of this defense, and Snyder trusts him in the big moments. Locked On Hawks noted he was part of the group sent out to protect a three-point lead with 15.3 seconds left against Cleveland. That's how a coach shows faith in a player.
The Shot Is Not
The other side of his game is where the questions start. He's 14.3% from deep on 1.2 tries a game and 53.8% at the line, which leaves a 51.0% true shooting mark despite making 49.1% of his field goals. His usage sits at 15.2%, the lowest of any regular in the rotation. Opponents can sag off him, and that crowds the paint for Jalen Johnson and Okongwu. One of his free throws missing every other night only makes that easier for them. Atlanta is 3-3 and has been outscored by 11.8 points a game over its last ten. The Hawks can't give defenses a free pass.
Where He Fits Best
The lineup of CJ McCollum, Alexander-Walker, Okongwu, Johnson and Daniels is +19.1 in 53 minutes, and his own net rating is +4.0. With two shooters beside him, his cutting and passing work and his defense swings games. Tonight's test in New Orleans puts him on Dejounte Murray, who has put up 17.8 points and 6.0 assists a night. At $25.0M a year through 2029-30, his deal ranks second only to Johnson's $30.0M. The verdict is that he doesn't have to become a scorer. He needs to become someone defenses have to guard, and a free-throw rate that climbs back toward respectable is the first step.
How much is Dyson Daniels making with the Hawks?
Daniels earns $25.0M this season and the same amount every year through 2029-30. His contract is the second-largest on the roster, behind Jalen Johnson's $30.0M.
Is Dyson Daniels injured?
No. Daniels is not on the injury report and is available for Atlanta's game at New Orleans on October 31.
