Dyson Daniels Named 2024–25 Kia NBA Most Improved Player

Hawks guard becomes just the second player in franchise history to earn the honor

The NBA announced today that Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels has been named the 2024–25 Kia NBA Most Improved Player, following a breakout season that solidified his status as one of the league’s most complete and impactful young stars.

Daniels becomes only the second player in Hawks franchise history to win the award, joining Alan Henderson, who earned the honor during the 1997–98 season.

A Historic Leap in Year Three

In his first season with the Hawks, Daniels appeared in 76 games (all starts) and averaged career highs in nearly every category:

• 14.1 points
• 5.9 rebounds
• 4.4 assists
• 3.01 steals
• 0.72 blocks
• .493 FG%
• .340 3FG%
• 33.8 minutes per game

Compared to the 2023–24 season, Daniels saw significant year-over-year improvements in all major areas:

• +8.3 points
• +2.0 rebounds
• +1.7 assists
• +1.62 steals
• +0.31 blocks
• +4.6% FG%
• +2.9% 3FG%

According to Elias Sports, Daniels is just the third player since 1973–74 to post improvements of at least +8.0 PPG, +2.0 RPG, +1.5 APG, and +1.5 SPG in one season (minimum 50 games played).

Elite Defensive Presence

Daniels led the NBA with a league-best 3.01 steals per game, becoming the first player to average over 3.0 steals in a season since Alvin Robertson (1990–91).

He also:

• Recorded 229 total steals – a new franchise record
• Posted the most steals in a single NBA season since Gary Payton (1995–96)
• Led the league by 98 steals over the next closest player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (131) — the largest gap between No. 1 and No. 2 in NBA history

Daniels became the first NBA player since Scottie Pippen (1994–95) to tally 200+ steals and 50+ blocks in a single season, joining Hall-of-Famers:

• Michael Jordan (6x)
• Clyde Drexler (3x)
• Alvin Robertson (1987–88)
• Hakeem Olajuwon
• Ron Harper (1986–87)

His 284 total “stocks” (steals + blocks) marked the first time a guard led the NBA in total stocks since Michael Jordan in 1987–88.

Advanced Defensive Metrics

Daniels also led the league in several key hustle categories:

• 442 deflections – most since the NBA began tracking the stat in 2015–16
• 297 total stops (steals + blocks + offensive fouls drawn) – most in the NBA
• 80 loose ball recoveries – second-most in the NBA

He also posted a steal-to-foul ratio of 1.31, the best since Allen Iverson (2002–03) and the ninth-best since 1973–74.

Thanks to Daniels’ defensive leadership, the Hawks improved their defensive rating from 118.4 (27th in NBA) last season to 114.8 (18th in NBA) — a +3.6 swing, ranking as the sixth-best improvement league-wide.

Offensive Growth & Career Highs

Daniels didn’t just shine on defense. Offensively, he scored:

• 10+ points in 60 of 76 games (career-high)
• 20+ points in 12 games
• 9 double-doubles (5 post-All-Star break)

He set new single-game career highs in:

• Points: 28 (at Boston, Nov. 12)
• Assists: 10 (2x)
• Rebounds: 11 (3x)
• Steals: 8 (vs. Minnesota, Dec. 23)
• Blocks: 4 (at Sacramento, Nov. 18)
• Minutes: 41 (at Boston, Nov. 12)

Daniels was named Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month twice during the season and finished as runner-up for the 2024–25 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. He was one of only two players to be a finalist for multiple Kia Performance Awards this season, joining Nikola Jokić (MVP, Clutch Player).

A Star Emerges in Atlanta

At just 22 years old, Dyson Daniels has emerged as a cornerstone for the Atlanta Hawks. His commitment on both ends of the floor has not only reshaped his individual career — it has helped redefine the Hawks’ identity.

With accolades, statistics, and league-wide respect backing his rise, Daniels’ future in Atlanta — and in the NBA — looks incredibly bright.