The New Orleans Pelicans drafted Dyson Daniels in 2022, in the lottery, hoping that his production for the G-League ignite would translate to the same level, but more intense, NBA. He had the height and wingspan to become a superstar, but the Pelicans had not given him a real opportunity, with some of his time being split with the Birmingham Squadron.
Furthermore, the Atlanta Hawks still saw something special in Daniels, and they proved why it is always worth giving former lottery picks a second chance, as some just need a better opportunity in the right environment to prosper.
Daniels, as many know, had a breakout season in his first year with the Hawks, and Atlanta fans love him dearly.
Unlike most teams, the LA Clippers have a player who plays just like Daniels, but will not reach the status the Hawks’ wing has obtained, due to the offseason additions in the backcourt rotation.
Kris Dunn will be stuck playing under 20 minutes per game next season
Like the Sacramento Kings with Keon Ellis, the LA Clippers are extremely fortunate to have a Dyson Daniels-like player in Kris Dunn. On top of his solid three-point shooting, there are not many players in the game who can impact an outcome like Dunn.
In comparing stats, Daniels averaged 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in 33.8 minutes. He also led the league in steals with an average of three per game.
Dunn, on the other hand, only played 24.1 minutes, but his per 36 minutes last season were phenomenal, at averages of 9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, with 2.6 steals per game.
The similarities are there, and if the Clippers were to give Dunn more minutes, the only area he would disappoint in is three-point shooting.
However, the Clippers’ chances of having a Daniels clone with Dunn next season have plummeted due to the additions of Chris Paul and Bradley Beal, two guards who will be on the court at all times.
Tyronn Lue will still play Dunn, as his defense is crucial, but he will not be maxed out to his full potential, which is a level of production similar to Daniels, as he will be forced to fit in where he can.
Yet, there will be games where Dunn could play more than Beal and Paul, especially when Lue and his staff try to limit the scoring of opposing superstars.