The Atlanta Hawks are enjoying a breakout season from Dyson Daniels in which the already-stellar defender has proven his reputation belied how truly impactful he is on that end of the floor.
Daniels, the Hawks' single-season steals leader, is so disruptive that even a seemingly innocuous move like switching brands can be a source of polarization.
For Daniels, that was his official team-up with adidas.
“Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels – the NBA's steals leader and a Defensive Player of the Year candidate – is signing a four-year shoe endorsement deal with Adidas, sources tell ESPN,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on X on March 31. “He is averaging 14.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.1 steals (the most since 1988-89).”
DYSON DANIELS BECOMES THE @ATLHawks SINGLE-SEASON STEALS LEADER WITH 213 🔐🔐🔐 pic.twitter.com/B5rNxX8zj7
— NBA (@NBA) March 31, 2025
Nothing about Charania’s report is inflammatory, derogatory, or the like. Instead, it is a recognition of a significant business decision for Daniels and recognition for this historic first season with the Hawks.
The only issue is that it is fairly old hat, with 92.9 The Game’s Caleb Johnson poking fun at the news becoming official with Charania’s announcement.
Johnson reported Daniels’ move to adidas in February.
“Being a defender you want something that's got grip that you can move laterally, that's a light shoe,” Daniels said, per Johnson in February. “I really feel comfortable in the shoes so I'm happy being with Adidas.”
Easy jokes that harken back to Michael Jordan’s time aside, Charania’s report did shed new light on the deal, revealing the length of the contract.
Dyson Daniels picks up where Trae Young left off
Notably, adidas decided not to continue its years-long partnership with Daniels’ Hawks teammate and four-time All-Star Trae Young.
“Plans were for the Trae Young 4 to debut in September, but with no signs of a release from adidas, we expect his next sneaker to hit shelves before the year ends. However, sources have confirmed with Sole Retriever that the upcoming Trae Young 4 will be his last signature sneaker,” Sole Retriever’s Nicholas Vlahos wrote in September 2024.
“With sources stating that this would be Trae's final signature sneaker with adidas, this doesn't necessarily mean we won't see an adidas sneaker from Trae Young in the future. The Three Stripes could go the same route Jordan Brand has taken with Russell Westbrook, who doesn't get any more mainline signature models but has just received a takedown sneaker, the One Take 5. Trae does have his own budget model, the Trae Unlimited, which received its second version earlier this year.”
Rather than continue that partnership in any fashion, Young joined Jordan Brand.