Dyson Daniels put on a clinic against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night in the Hawks' 117-104 win. He racked up a career-high eight steals in the game and effectively wiped out one of the league's best offensive perimeter players, Anthony Edwards. This was one of many dominant showings from the former New Orleans Pelican.
The Steakhouse discussed the Daniels performance last night, but also how the Hawks absolutely fleeced the Pelicans for this star in their offseason trade.
"That's just not normal what Dyson Daniels does on a regular basis," Steak Shapiro said about the performance of the Hawks' new guard. "I'm talking a guy who, last night, had eight steals. Eight! I'm talking about a guy who is a complete menace defensively. The upside of Dyson Daniels compared to Dejounte Murray is [massive]."
Daniels has already been recognized as the Defensive Player of the Month in November and is likely on his way to another type of recognition after his continued dominance on that end of the floor. Last night's eight-steal effort was the most in an NBA game since 2021 and nearly reached the franchise record (10), but that has felt like a regular sort of night for the Hawks' new addition.
On the season, he is averaging an NBA-best 3.2 steals per game (an astounding 33 more than second place) while also providing a healthy 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. He takes away the opponent's best player on a nightly basis, and does it well.
On top of the upgrade, player-to-player over Dejounte Murray, the Hawks have also seen a dramatic spike in production elsewhere on their roster. Trae Young is averaging a career-high in assists (12.0). DeAndre Hunter, courtesy of Daniels handling the opponents' best player, is averaging a career-high in scoring (20.1 compared to a career average of 14.34).
The entire team has seen a boost.
"You traded for a guy who averaged five points per game on a mediocre team in the Western Conference and you struck gold," he continued. "[New Orleans] got fleeced."