The Hawks' new addition is fast becoming a Defensive Player of the Year candidate

The New Orleans Pelicans have to be shooting themselves in the foot. The team acquired Dejounte Murray from the Hawks during the offseason, just for Murray to leave the season-opening game injured.

After acquiring Murray with hopes of improving the team's playmaking and defense, the Pelicans have entered the same injury cycle of the last six seasons during the Zion Williamson era of the team. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks are kicking their feet with excitement over their trade return.

Amongst that trade return, Dyson Daniels has emerged as a leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and All-NBA first-team defense member. Even though Atlanta's allowing over 121 points per game, Daniels has been the team's most impactful defender.

Without him, the Hawks could allow closer to 125 or more points per game, an automatic losing formula. On November 12, the Hawks matched up with defending champion Boston, taking them down the road without Trae Young.

Daniels finished with 28 points and six (!!!) steals in the upset victory, while emerging star teammate Jalen Johnson finished with a triple-double. Before the game, Daniels was on a two-way tear, with 17 steals over three games.

That continued with the victory in Boston, as that number skyrocketed to 23 steals in the last four games for the 21-year-old. What's more astonishing is the historical impact of Daniels' season defensively. Below, we dive into the rare numbers of Daniels' season.

Chasing the single season steals per game record

For the season, Daniels averages nearly four steals per game (3.6). This number stacks him third all-time for single-season steals per game including ABA stats. The Hawks guard only trails Don Buse (4.12 steals per game, ABA, 1975-76) and Alvin Robertson (3.67 steals per game, NBA, 1985-86). Only four seasons post-2000 are inside the top 40 all-time: Larry Hughes (2.89, 24th, 2004-05), Allen Iverson twice (2.8, 32nd, 2001-02 and 2.74, T-40th, 2002-03), and Chris Paul (2.77, 35th, 2008-09).

While it's unlikely Daniels can continue his current trajectory, he's proven to be one of the league's elite perimeter defenders. Daniels has also added seven blocks over ten games, showing an ability to affect the game in multiple ways defensively.

Atlanta originally acquired Dejounte Murray to improve their defense, but it appears Daniels is having an even greater impact on the team's defense than Murray once did next to Trae Young.

Although Dyson Daniels isn't the offensive weapon Dejounte Murray, he appears to be a cheaper, more flexible, and better fit next to Atlanta's franchise point guard Trae Young. While Atlanta's defense is still statistically among the league's worst, Daniels has put the Hawks' defense on his back to keep them afloat in the Eastern Conference. Will Daniels maintain his stellar pace, or will he crumble like all the rest before him?