While a lot of mock drafts were waiting for our Frenchie Ousmane Dieng at the Pelicans, we mightn’t take out the tricolor immediately. New Orleans has decided to select Australian G League Ignite point guard Dyson Daniels, a prospect still to be developed but who can reach very high heights.
For some, Dyson Daniels was expected a higher pick in Oregon as a backup to Damian Lillard, but in the end he finds himself getting a plane ticket to the Bayou and its NBA franchise. The Pelicans roster for next season is enticing, and there we add a little touch of Australian exoticism that can spark off the bench. It’s very likely that he won’t start this season because there are a lot of good people ahead of him, but that will allow Dyson Daniels to learn the trade alongside very good players in a franchise that will have a shot at it. His mid-range and long shot will have to be worked on, but the Pelicans made a good shot and won’t have to let him down.
Sources: New Orleans will select Dyson Daniels at No. 8. https://t.co/wvUIg8tdyt
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2022
The leader was one of the “big names” of this G League Ignite team. While he might have chosen the NBL to continue his development at home, the kangaroo flew to the States a year earlier. The boy made a success of his season in the antechamber of the NBA with 11.3 points on 44.9% shooting, 5.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.9 steals on average in 31 minutes of play on average. Often compared to Derrick White for his side all-around, position 1 with the first name of vacuum cleaner brand is one in defense. His rigor in one-on-one opposition allows him to steal a lot of balls from more experienced opponents. In attack, Dyson Daniels is complete. His playmaking is excellent, whether on transition or placed play. He knows how to finish under contact or find his teammates to bring the ball out 3-point behind the arc and collect the assist.
The boy has a lot of room for improvement, but he is in the Top 10 of this Draft for a good reason. The ceiling to be reached can be very beautiful, and the point guard can be a contribution from the bench in a potentially very exciting franchise.
