The Atlanta Hawks are actively involved in the excitement of the 2025 NBA Finals, particularly through their promising young player, Dyson Daniels. Serving as a player correspondent during the Finals, Daniels is getting firsthand insights while engaging with stars from the competing teams, including the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Ahead of Game 3 of the Finals, Daniels took the opportunity to discuss mental preparation with Pacers’ standout Tyrese Haliburton, delving into techniques that athletes use to stay focused during crucial moments. He also chatted with notable players like Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin, and several members of the Thunder team, sharing topics that ranged from internal motivation to fashion trends.
This initiative is part of the NBA’s program designed to integrate players into broadcasting roles, laying the groundwork for future developments in their careers beyond the court. Michael LeVine, the NBA’s senior vice president of entertainment and player marketing, emphasized the importance of players understanding the business side of the NBA, particularly the entertainment aspects.
On the court, Daniels is coming off an impressive season where he led the league in steals and was honored with All-Defensive First Team accolades, alongside winning the Most Improved Player award. As the Hawks reflect on their past performance, making the playoffs becomes a critical goal. They aim to break a streak of four consecutive Play-In Tournament appearances, and improving their record in close games—having recently transitioned from a challenging 21-26 record in clutch matches in the previous season to 21-20—suggests they are on an upward trajectory.
Looking ahead, the Hawks are also considering Daniels’ future as he becomes eligible for an extension this offseason. His status as a restricted free agent after the 2025-26 season gives the Hawks an advantageous position to retain him, especially if they can lock in a deal early.
Daniels’ willingness to embrace various challenges foreshadows a bright future not only for him personally but also for the Hawks as they strive for playoff success and potentially more significant achievements. This engagement with players and the Finals highlights the ambition and determination within the organization, fostering hope for fans and players alike.