"For me, it’s just about reading the game": Dyson Daniels on his defensive mastery, breakout year and endless stamina (Exclusive)

Dyson Daniels wasn’t the centerpiece of the trade that sent All-Star guard Dejounte Murray to New Orleans this offseason, but he has quickly emerged as one of the most critical additions to the Atlanta Hawks roster. While the trade garnered attention for the two first-round picks Atlanta received, Daniels has stolen the spotlight with a breakout campaign showcasing his two-way impact.

The 21-year-old guard has flourished in Atlanta, where the Hawks have entrusted him with a starting role alongside Trae Young. He has responded by averaging career highs of 14.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 33.7 minutes per game through 16 games. His elite defense has been the hallmark of his emergence, leading the NBA in deflections (6.8) and steals (3.1) per game.

Dyson Daniels is shining as a defensive force

Daniels’ defensive dominance has earned him a reputation as one of the league’s top young stoppers. He credits his elite ability to generate steals and contain top assignments to his preparation, effort, and instinct.

“For me, it’s just about reading the game,” Daniels told Sportskeeda. “When people turn their back or when they’re about to pass, I try to read their eyes and time it. Defense is all about effort, being active with your hands, and staying engaged. Hopefully, I can keep putting up big steals games.”

Daniels’ defense has drawn high praise from Hall of Fame point guard and Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd. At this point, Daniels has become an obvious priority for opposing teams when game-planning against Atlanta.

“He’s a one-man defense,” Kidd told Sportskeeda. “He’s playing the game the right way. It’s incredible to watch on tape and see in person. You have to identify where he is on the floor because there’s a good chance it could lead to a deflection or a steal. That’s the kind of impact he has.”

Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving, regarded as one of the most talented offensive players in history, praised Daniels' tenacity as a defender after facing him.

“You feel [his defense], for sure,” Irving said. “I knew going in tonight that I was going to be challenged from beginning to end. That’s what this game is about—going against the best. Players like him make you better.”

Hawks head coach Quin Snyder emphasized the impact of Daniels’ defensive versatility on Atlanta’s system. Daniels has become a significant weapon for Atlanta, essentially being one of those game-wrecking defenders that plays a role in establishing the identity for a group.

“We’ve tried to use his versatility defensively to put him on different matchups, and he’s shown that he can guard multiple positions,” Snyder told Sportskeeda. “One of the things we’ve emphasized with him is being a playmaker on defense. He’s able to do that through steals or deflections without taking himself out of position. That’s something that really helps us.”

Daniels' Hawks teammate, Onyeka Okongwu, echoed those sentiments, acknowledging the growth of the defender now dubbed "The Great Barrier Thief." His teammates hold the ultimate trust in his ability to contain his man, even when he's guarding one of the best offensive players in the league.

“I trust him to be out there and guard his yard,” Okongwu told Sportskeeda. “I’m confident that he’s good out there, but I always have his back if something goes south. I knew he was a good defender, but I didn’t know he was this good. He’s blossoming.”

Unlocking His Offensive Potential

While Daniels’ defensive contributions have been his calling card, his offensive game has also taken a leap forward. Playing alongside Trae Young has helped him grow as a secondary playmaker and scorer.

“Playing with a guy like Trae makes it a lot easier,” Daniels told Sportskeeda. “He’s such a crafty player and can find you anywhere. He attracts so much attention that, once he gets off the ball, I’m usually open to get downhill or take a shot. Our games really complement each other.”

Daniels also credits his improvement to working with some of the league’s top shooting coaches, including Hawks assistant general manager Kyle Korver, but before that, former Pelicans assistant coach Fred Vinson, who is now in Detroit helping players like Jaden Ivey. It's still an ongoing process for him to establish consistency on a higher volume as he's shooting 29.9% from deep on 4.2 attempts per game, up from 2.2 last season. However, he remains confident in how it'll balance out after establishing proper fundamentals.

“I got the fundamentals down in New Orleans with Fred Vinson, and then coming here, working with Kyle Korver—one of the best shooters ever—has been huge,” Daniels detailed to Sportskeeda. “It’s about getting in the gym, getting reps, and shooting with confidence.”

Learning from Experience

Before arriving in Atlanta, Daniels honed his skills on the international stage, representing Australia in the Olympics and World Cup. Those experiences gave him valuable lessons in leadership and playing within a team structure.

“Playing with the national team during the summer has been huge for me,” Daniels told Sportskeeda. “The Olympics are all about the team, and that experience helped me see how I can contribute in different ways. Now, it’s our turn to take what they’ve taught us and lead.”

Bogdan Bogdanovic, another key piece in Atlanta’s rotation, has been impressed by Daniels’ offensive development. Bogdanovic often competes for the Serbian national team, so he's speaking from experience about the benefits Daniels has experienced, namely learning how to impact winning in a team context.

“He’s a great athlete and a great playmaker,” Bogdanovic told Sportskeeda. “He’s been finding ways to get downhill and create for others. I think playing for Australia helped him see how to contribute to the team, and that’s carried over here.”

Snyder believes the Australian national team has afforded Daniels opportunities to guard tough matchups, while echoing Bogdanovic's sentiment about the value of competing in high stakes circumstances to contribute to winning.

“He’s played well for his national team,” Snyder explained to Sportskeeda. “That experience has helped him handle tough matchups and understand the bigger picture of how to play within a system.”

Embracing a Larger Role

Daniels’ expanded role in Atlanta has required adjustments to his approach to preparation and recovery, but he’s embraced the challenge of playing career-high minutes while being a focal point of opposing scouting reports.

“It’s been a different mentality for me, especially in taking care of my body,” Daniels told Sportskeeda. “I’ve been getting more table work, spending more time in the cold tub, and just making sure I recover properly. Playing more minutes helps me get into a rhythm, and I love it. You put me out there for 48 minutes, and I’ll run all game.”

Snyder commended Daniels for adapting to the increased workload, describing him as a player who has been diligent throughout the process.

“We’ve asked him to do a lot, and he’s risen to the challenge,” Snyder detailed to Sportskeeda. “He’s a solid player, and his ability to handle more minutes and tougher matchups is impressive.”

Continuing to Evolve

Daniels is already one of the league’s premier defenders, but he’s focused on taking his offensive game to the next level. He described his floater as being a comfortable go-to, but he wants to grow as a playmaker and being intentional when he's attacking downhill.

“My floater has always been my go-to, but I’m trying to attack the rim with more force, finish stronger, and get to the foul line more,” Daniels said. “That’s the next step for me—being a consistent playmaker and attacking with more purpose.”

Daniels’ breakout season has transformed him into one of the NBA’s most exciting young players. Once a secondary piece in a trade, he has emerged as a cornerstone for the Hawks, proving that his rise is only just beginning.