Dyson Daniels Ignite 2021-22 Season Highlights | 11.3 PPG 5.9 RPG 4.4 APG

With the G League Ignite season winding down, the 18-year-old Australian-American guard has cemented himself as the top NBA prospect on the prospect-laden team, and a likely lottery pick come June. High-level NBA decision makers were able to get (likely) one final look at Daniels and the rest of the Ignite prospects in Cleveland over All-Star break in the Rising Stars game, during a practice at the Cavaliers practice facility, and against the Cleveland Charge on Sunday. We attended both the Rising Stars Game and a portion of the Ignite practice, where a handful of NBA general managers and presidents sat courtside to evaluate Daniels and company. While the Rising Stars Game clearly has an All-Star feel to it, what stood out most was just how Daniels more than fits in physically with some of the NBA's top young talent, not looking too far off in terms of functional size from a 6-8 rookie like Cade Cunningham.

You'd regularly hear scouts and execs comment, "he's huge!" in regards to Daniels, who becomes even more interesting if he can function as a playmaking wing in addition to a secondary ball-handler. Daniels made the most of his weekend in the Midwest by following up the Rising Stars game with an 18-point, 13-rebound, 6-assist performance in a narrow loss to the Charge, scoring out of the post, knocking down spot 3s, pull-ups, attacking the glass and making smart reads, as usual.

The fact that Daniels is shooting just 26% from 3 and 59% from the free throw line according to our database, while still turning down rhythm looks too often will give some executives pause. He'll likely never be overly shifty with the ball, isn't the most outwardly confident prospect, and he's a bit too reliant on his patented spin move and two-foot floater in the lane at times. But if you view Daniels as more of a secondary ball-handler who can defend three or four positions given his size and defensive instincts, knock down open spot 3s and make reads off second-side pick-and-roll, it's easy to envision him eventually evolving into an NBA starter, potentially sooner than later given his physical tools and mature style of play. Having been able to watch him shoot extensively both in practice and warm-up settings, he has the mechanics and touch to develop into a reliable floor spacer in time so long as he can keep speeding up his release and remain confident after misses.

The 18-year-old has filled up the stat sheet for the Ignite all season, earning rave reviews from the staff and teammates. Given his positional size, feel for the game, professional approach, and two-way impact, Daniels has as high of a floor as any perimeter player in this class and is deserving of interest throughout the back-half of the top-10 all the way through the late lottery, which he has a chance to solidify during the Ignite's final four games of the season. - Mike Schmitz

[blakeswann]

6’6 PG who’s a versatile defender, good passer and sound defender with ability to get to the rim to either do a floater or get under the rim. He doesn’t have a reliable shot yet BUT he is a great developmental player who is a great fit for teams like the Knicks and Pelicans who are in need of what he provides.

[Aerodynamics]

If Dyson can develop that spin move to his left as good as he can to his right. Good luck guarding that. So explosive.

[evanwaleck]

here for the 11 pick 🙄..hoping for a 💎 in the rough for NYK in the '22 draft🤘🏀

[t-bonemendez]

Got drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans!

[igorradanovic]

Fultz playing style, good all around player, need to work on shot for 3pt

[hotfire]

Believe it or not pelicans expect this kid to come tribute day one, he cab defend and pass the ball should fit in well in thr 8man rotation possible a starter later in the season

[shakiemjeanjoseph]

Top 8 pick in the NBA Draft on June 23rd

[MaynardMereus]

He reminds me of SLO mo Kyle Anderson with how he doesn't seem rushed and plays at slow but smooth speed

[unaplgetlc]

He's the number 1 pick OKC Thunder! He can cover multiple positions, can pass the ball, has a deadly floater, can knock down the 3, and he held back a lot in the g league.

[pgpacernation]

Let’s not act like the New Orleans Pelicans don’t have one of the best young cores in the NBA after drafting Dyson Daniels & EJ Liddell!

Zion Williamson - 21
Brandon Ingram - 24
Herbert Jones - 23
Dyson Daniels - 19
Naji Marshall - 24
Trey Murphy II - 22
Jose Alvarado - 24
EJ Liddell - 21
Jaxson Hayes - 22

Scoring & defense 😳

[shakiemjeanjoseph]

New Orleans Pelicans🔵🔴⚪️
8th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft

[bronniepaulleslie]

If He’s there at the 12 Pick The Knicks should grab them What else do they have to lose

[diegochavez]

Warriors lucky they didn't face Nola hey're huge and athelic

[arveearcita]

If pels draft this guy over mathurin, sharpe, tyty, agbaji, davis ill be mad

[drb]

With the New York Knicks luck they pick 11... He's going to be gone 🤣🤣🤣