Dyson Daniels, the Atlanta Hawks' defensive powerhouse, just secured a massive four-year, $100 million contract extension! This is huge news for both Daniels and the Hawks, signaling a strong commitment from the team and a significant payoff for the player's impressive growth.
Shams Charania, a respected NBA insider for ESPN, broke the story. He highlighted that Daniels' agent, Daniel Moldovan of Lighthouse Sports Management, confirmed the deal.
Last season, Daniels truly blossomed. He earned the NBA's Most Improved Player award, was a runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year, made the All-Defensive first team, and racked up a staggering 229 steals – the most in a single season since the legendary Gary Payton in the 1995-96 season. That's some elite company!
The Hawks officially announced the signing, though the financial specifics were initially kept under wraps.
Daniels, the eighth overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, saw his scoring average jump dramatically to 14.1 points per game, up from 5.8 the previous season. He also contributed 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and a remarkable 3.0 steals per game, becoming the first player to average three steals since Alvin Robertson in the 1990-91 season.
The Hawks acquired Daniels, along with a first-round pick, from the New Orleans Pelicans in July 2024, in exchange for Dejounte Murray. The pairing of the defensively-minded Daniels with star point guard Trae Young has already shown promise in Atlanta.
Daniels is quickly becoming a core piece for the Hawks, who are also building around talents like Jalen Johnson and the 2024 No. 1 pick, Zaccharie Risacher.
But here's where it gets interesting: Does this contract signal the Hawks' shift towards a more defensive-focused team? Is this a smart investment, considering the potential impact Daniels can have? What do you think about the Hawks' strategy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
