Australian basketball sensation Dyson Daniels has made history, achieving a remarkable feat in the NBA after a massive trade. It's a sign of a new era!
The Hawks and Daniels sent a powerful message in their first complete game following the official Trae Young trade. The young Aussie star recognized the need for the franchise to embrace change and move forward.
Daniels, a Bendigo native, showcased his immense talent by achieving his first career triple-double as the Hawks dominated the Nuggets 110-87 on Saturday. It was a remarkable performance that hinted at the potential of this Australian talent overseas.
In a 36-minute display, Daniels scored 17 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists, adding to his string of well-rounded performances. The 22-year-old had already demonstrated his enhanced playmaking skills during Young's absence due to injury, but he took his game to new heights in Denver, showcasing his ability to drive and assist teammates or create his own high-quality shots.
Daniels described his triple-double achievement as 'pretty special' in a post-game interview. He acknowledged the rarity of such a feat and expressed his satisfaction at finally achieving it after several close calls in recent games.
When asked about the impact of the Young trade, Daniels, sounding remarkably mature, wished the four-time All-Star well but emphasized the need to focus on the current roster. He stated, 'Trae was the engine for this team for a long time. We wish him the best in Washington. But now we've got to focus on our guys in the locker room. We've got players who can handle the ball and drive to the basket, like CJ (McCollum) and Corey (Kispert), who are also very smart players.'
While Daniels still has room to grow in terms of his outside shooting, currently at 11.7% from downtown this season, he has made significant strides as a playmaker, complementing his elite defensive skills. Nicknamed the 'Great Barrier Thief', Daniels led the NBA in steals last season, playing at an All-NBA defensive level. However, his offensive abilities have been questioned, despite signing a massive four-year, $100 million (A$153.5m) rookie contract extension.
Daniels' assist numbers have been impressive. In the 2024-25 season, he tallied 333 assists in 76 games, averaging 4.4 per game. This season, in just 38 games, the 6-foot-7 guard has already accumulated 230 assists, on pace for 460 if he maintains his current level of play. Following his 10-assist performance on Saturday, Daniels has been averaging 8.2 assists over his last five games. These numbers are expected to rise as he becomes more comfortable with increased responsibilities in the Young-less Hawks offense, with Jalen Johnson as the primary scoring option.
The trade saw Young move to the Wizards in exchange for 34-year-old shooting guard CJ McCollum and the sharp-shooting Corey Kispert. Interestingly, Daniels has a history with McCollum, having played together in New Orleans, where Daniels was drafted in 2022. Daniels joked about McCollum's love for wine, recalling his underage status during their previous stint together, and expressed hope for a bottle of wine in his locker now that they're reunited. He also praised McCollum's leadership and experience.
As the Hawks, currently ninth in the Eastern Conference, strive for a playoff spot, a shared bottle of red wine between Daniels and McCollum could symbolize the success of this trade. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this trade enough to push the Hawks into playoff contention? And what does this mean for the future of the franchise?
The NBA world is buzzing with excitement and anticipation as they witness the rise of a new star and the potential rebirth of a franchise. What do you think? Is this the beginning of a new era for the Hawks, or is it too early to tell?
