Dyson Daniels heats up vs. Toronto

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The New Orleans Pelicans have drafted some key players that have strongly impacted the team this season.

19-year-old rookie Dyson Daniels has been turning heads ever since the preseason. The eighth overall pick from the loaded 2023 draft class has not played long minutes for the Pelicans with a season-high of 31, but he has taken advantage of all his playtime.

Daniels' effort on the defensive end has been earning him more chances to play. He is averaging 0.8 steals per game, but this is quite impressive, seeing that he averages 17 minutes per game.

Daniels has improved every game on both offense and defense. He never looks scared to attack his defender but remains a team player, always looking for the open man.

Although he is averaging 5.7 points per game, he shoots 53.8 percent from the field and 47.4 percent from the three-point line. Daniels recently set a new career high of 14 points and nine assists versus the Toronto Raptors while key Pelicans players like Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum were out.

Zion Williamson and Willie Green had high praises for Daniels following his almost triple-double vs. Toronto. It will be exciting to see Daniels continue to develop on both ends of the court. His progression could lead him to be an All-Star caliber player with his height, shooting ability, and willingness to play defense.

With the addition of Daniels, Herbert Jones, and Trey Murphy III, the Pelicans have added tremendous bench depth and solid shooters around Williamson and BI, which are needed to win in the playoffs.