The Atlanta Hawks are projected to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference this season with a strong mix of established veterans and ascending young players. The team made headlines again thanks to a recent announcement by a top NBA insider.
Why Are the Hawks Currently Trending in the NBA Community?
Top NBA insider Shams Charania reported the Hawks agreed to terms with ascending guard Dyson Daniels on a four-year $100 million rookie contract extension. Charania added that “The Hawks have Jalen Johnson and 2024 No.1 pick Zaccharie Risacher as building blocks on the wings.” With the wealth of young talent, along with All-Star guard Trae Young and potential anchor Kristaps Porzingis, the Hawks are in line for potentially a special season.
NBA Fans React to Latest Hawks News
One fan on X, pointed out how Daniels’ extension fits the salary cap, saying “Elite value. He’ll be making $25M when he’s at the peak of his powers and it’s a smaller percentage of the cap than it is right now.”
Elite value. He’ll be making $25m when he’s at the absolute peak of his powers at 26yo and it’s a smaller percentage of the cap than it is right now. Great stuff
— NBA University (@NBA_University) October 20, 2025
Another fan said it’s deserved, adding that Daniels “should have won DPOY last year too.”
Deserved. Shoulda won DPOY last year too
— Agent 0 (@FT_Merchant05) October 20, 2025
Bolwrld believes that the Hawks signed Daniels to a very team friendly deal, saying “Only 100M. What a steal.”
Only 100m that’s crazy. WHAT A STEAL
— 𝔹𝕠𝕝𝕨𝕣𝕝𝕕 (@BolWrld) October 20, 2025
However not everyone was impressed, with one fan saying “that is way too much money.”
In my opinion, that is way too much money.
— Scott (@HineyKinScott)
Daniels was drafted eight overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2022 NBA draft, but has blossomed since arriving in Atlanta. Daniels averaged a little under five points per game his first two years in New Orleans before getting traded to the Hawks last summer as part of a substantial return for the team in exchange for former All-Star guard Dejounte Murray.
The 6’7 guard was an excellent fit next to in first season with the Hawks. Daniels became the first Australian to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award. In his first season with the Hawks, Daniels averaged 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.
However, Daniels truly emerged as one of the best defensive players in the league, making the All-Defensive First Team while leading the NBA with three steals per game and 366 deflections during the season.
Daniels gained notoriety during the season for being able to hold All-Stars like Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum, as well as league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander well below their averages when matched up against them.
Hawks head coach Quin Synder coached another Defensive Player of The Year in center Ruby Gobert, and he says that Daniels’ consistency and focus is similar to Gobert’s.
There was also some criticism towards the announcement with some fans believing that the Hawks overpaid Daniels. The fans who believe Daniels is overpaid may point to his shooting, which is a clear idea for improvement. Daniels is a career 32.7% shooter from three point range and 61.4% from the free throw line.
He shot a career low 59.3% from the free throw line last year, which is unacceptable for a guard who handles the ball and provides secondary playmaking to Young.
Ultimately, the Hawks are likely glad to lock up an elite defender like Daniels, while the 23-year-old has time to continue evolving his offensive game.
