Dyson Daniels Discusses Plans to Expand on NBA's Most Distinguished Improved Player Title
Atlanta's Dyson Daniels: The NBA's Most Improved Player of the Year
After a phenomenal season, Atlanta Hawks' guard Dyson Daniels has clinched the NBA's Most Improved Player of the Year title, leaving behind stiff competition from Cade Cunningham and Ivica Zubac. Known as the "great barrier thief," Daniels racked up 44 first-place votes and earned 332 total points, significantly outshining their rivals for the George Mikan Award.
Zubac managed a second-place finish with 186 points, while Cunningham came in third with 122 points. Daniels' impressive performance comes just after finishing second in the race for Defensive Player of the Year, which eventually went to Cleveland Cavaliers' Evan Mobley.
With this achievement, it's clear that the trade that sent Daniels to Atlanta from New Orleans Pelicans proves to be a smart move. In an appearance on Inside the NBA after claiming the George Mikan Award, Daniels shared his thoughts:
"I felt like I took a backseat role in my first two years in New Orleans, and I wasn't myself," said Daniels. "Coming into this third year, I wanted to put my foot down and show what I could do. I think this is just a small step in the right direction this year, and I feel like I've got a lot more in me."
With 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 3.0 steals per game in the 2024-25 campaign, Daniels has joined an elite group, featuring Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Michael Ray Richardson, and Alvin Robertson. Additionally, he led the league in total steals (229) and steals per game this season.
Daniels discussed his plan for next season after the Most Improved Player of the Year award, highlighting his goals to become an All-Star and a championship player. Known for his unstoppable mindset and capable of delivering both on offense and defense, Daniels has proven to be a valuable asset for the Atlanta Hawks.
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Additional Insight:As a 22-year-old Australian rising star, Dyson Daniels now stands at 6-foot-7, making him a defensive Swiss army knife for the Atlanta Hawks. Acquired in a July 2024 trade that sent Dejounte Murray to New Orleans, Daniels has quickly become a cornerstone for the Hawks. In the 2024-25 season, Daniels has averaged a career-high 14.1 points per game (+8.3 PPG from the previous season), recorded 5.9 rebounds per game (a career high), dished out 4.4 assists per game (a career high), and led the league in total steals (229) and steals per game. Fueled by his offseason hard work, the Olympic campaign, and his new opportunity in Atlanta, Daniels aims to continue his extraordinary performance and set even higher goals for himself, such as All-Defensive Team honors and All-Star status.
Sources:1: Forbes2: ESPN3: Sports Illustrated
- Dyson Daniels, the Atlanta Hawks' guard, was named the NBA's Most Improved Player of the Year, outshining Cade Cunningham and Ivica Zubac in a closely contested race.
- Despite finishing second for the Defensive Player of the Year, which was won by Evan Mobley, Zubac still managed to secure second place in the Most Improved Player race, while Cunningham came in third.
- In addition to his steep improvement in scoring, rebounding, and assists, Daniels led the NBA in total steals (229) and steals per game during the 2024-25 season.
- Following his impressive season, Daniels, initially drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans, expressed his gratitude for the trade that sent him to the Hawks, stating that he feels he's just beginning to showcase his potential, aiming for All-Defensive Team honors and All-Star status in the future.
