The Atlanta Hawks officially entered a new era on Jan. 7. ESPN’s Shams Charania announced they traded Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. The move closed the book on Young’s Atlanta tenure, placing an immediate focus on the future of the point guard position. Over the span of Young’s injury and now his departure, Dyson Daniels has steadily proven he is ready for that responsibility.
During Young’s absence over the past 5 games, Daniels averaged 14.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.2 rebounds. He stepped into an expanded playmaking role and delivered consistent control of the offense. He showed growth as a primary ball handler, operating effectively in pick-and-roll sets and making quicker reads under pressure. Atlanta’s offense played with more pace and structure, with Daniels prioritizing ball movement and decision-making rather than forcing shots. Daniels ranks 12th in the NBA with 240 total assists on the campaign. His ability to initiate offense became a stabilizing factor for a lineup adjusting to life without its long-time centerpiece.
Daniels reached a milestone on Jan. 9 against the Denver Nuggets. He recorded the first triple-double of his NBA career, finishing with 15 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. Against a disciplined Denver defense, Daniels controlled the tempo from start to finish. He consistently found shooters, attacked mismatches when lanes opened, and used his size to secure rebounds and ignite transition opportunities. This performance marked a clear step forward in his evolution as a floor general.
The significance of Daniels’ development goes far beyond one game. Without Young, the Hawks enter a new phase that prioritizes versatility, defense, and shared playmaking. Daniels fits that vision seamlessly. Unlike a traditional ball-dominant point guard, he allows multiple players to stay involved, while still providing stability at the top of the offense. That flexibility opens the door for Atlanta to build lineups that emphasize length, defensive pressure, and unselfish basketball.
Daniels’ defensive impact remains just as important as his playmaking. His size, length, and instincts give Atlanta a different look at the point of attack. Opposing guards face more resistance bringing the ball up the floor, and Daniels’ ability to generate deflections and disrupt passing lanes helps fuel transition opportunities. Daniels ranks second in the league in total steals with 77 and sits fifth per game at 2.0. The Hawks’ perimeter defense noticeably tightened during his extended run at point guard, providing a long-term defensive foundation
Daniels’ development as a full-time point guard will be an important storyline for the franchise. His success could determine how aggressively the Hawks pursue additional guard help or whether they commit to him as the long-term solution. With McCollum providing veteran scoring and Kispert adding floor spacing, Daniels’ role as an offensive connector becomes even more critical.
The post-Young era requires adjustments, patience, and directional clarity. Daniels showed he is capable of handling responsibility, responding to pressure, and elevating his play when circumstances demand it. What started as an opportunity born out of injury became a defining moment in his career and, potentially, the foundation of the Hawks’ future.
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