Dyson Daniels posted a triple-double against Cleveland, and it perfectly captures why the 6'7" wing is Atlanta's most irreplaceable player heading into the offseason.
In a sense, the NBA is all about getting surplus value.
If you can get more than expecting from an area, you give yourself an edge. That can mean getting more than expected from a draft pick. It might mean a player breaking out midway through an inexpensive contract. Or, it could mean getting statistics from a position that normally doesn't produce in that area.
That's the type of surplus value that the Atlanta Hawks are getting from Dyson Daniels.
Dyson Daniels gives the Hawks an edge
That value was on full display in the Hawks' dominant Friday win against the Cavaliers.
Daniels had a triple-double with 13 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds.
That's a good stat line for any player, but it's particularly indicative of Daniels' value. He's enough of a "point guard" to get you a dozen assists. Yet, fundamentally, Daniels is a wing playing out of position. At 6'7", he's able to rebound over most players at the 1.
It hasn't always been a smooth process. Daniels' limited shooting ability has been problematic for the Hawks at times. He's almost the polar opposite of Trae Young. Daniels struggles to create offense for himself, but his size gives Atlanta defensive and rebounding advantages.
Is it sustainable long-term?
Hawks should continue to explore Daniels' role
The short answer? Yes.
The longer answer? It depends on who the Hawks bring in. If they have an opportunity to draft a more conventional point guard in this year's draft, they should take that opportunity.
After all, there are other roles for Daniels. In some respects, he could be a perfect sixth man. Daniels' ability to plug into multiple lineups as a 1, 2, or 3 could make him suited for that role. Moreover, he can shift a game's energy with his defensive effort.
Yet, it would be hard to argue that Daniels at the 1 hasn't been working. The Hawks have had a tremendously successful season. Daniels' ability to provide forward-level value in non-guard categories has been part of their success.
Ultimately, it may be that Atlanta needs to acquire a high-volume three-point shooter at any position. Depending on Nickeil Alexander-Walker alone to make up for Daniels' shortcomings in that area may not be sustainable long-term.
That's the goal in the NBA, no matter who's on your roster. Front offices want to build teams with complementary strengths and weaknesses. Daniels does a lot on an NBA floor, whether he's a conventional point guard or not:
He's the team's X-factor.