Atlanta Hawks Secure Dyson Daniels with $100M Extension

The Atlanta Hawks have finalized a four-year, $100 million contract extension for Dyson Daniels, securing his services through the 2029-30 season. This significant deal was confirmed by multiple sources on March 15, 2024, and comes on the heels of Daniels being named the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the previous season.

Daniels, who turned 22 this past season, delivered an impressive performance while averaging 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 3.0 steals across 76 games. His defensive prowess earned him recognition as a first-team All-Defensive selection, and he finished as the runner-up for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Breakout Performance in Atlanta

The breakout season for Daniels marks his first with the Hawks after spending his initial two years with the New Orleans Pelicans. He joined Atlanta as part of the trade involving Dejounte Murray, which significantly reshaped the team’s roster. Daniels quickly established himself as a key player in Atlanta, showcasing a remarkable ability to steal the ball, leading the NBA with 229 steals last season. This figure outpaced the second-place finisher, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who recorded 131 steals.

Remarkably, Daniels’ steals total is the highest recorded since Hall of Famer Gary Payton achieved 231 steals for the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1995-96 season. Daniels’ defensive skills not only contributed to his individual accolades but also played a crucial role in the Hawks’ competitive standing in the league.

Career Overview

Throughout his career, Dyson Daniels has maintained averages of 8.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.8 steals over 196 games, with 103 starts throughout his first three seasons. His development into a leading player for the Hawks signals a promising future for both him and the franchise as they aim for success in the coming years.

The extension solidifies the Hawks’ commitment to building around young talent, highlighting their investment in a player who has already proven to be a defensive stalwart and a reliable contributor on both ends of the court. As the team prepares for the upcoming seasons, Daniels will undoubtedly be a focal point in their strategy to compete at the highest level in the NBA.