Dash Daniels departs Melbourne United, with rival club reportedly first in line

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/melbourne-united/CntvKeJI/"]Melbourne United[/a] and the NBL announced on Wednesday that [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/daniels-dash/4AAFpi4T/"]Dash Daniels[/a] and the club had mutually agreed to part ways, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/daniels-dyson/r5pENvXa/"]Daniels[/a] committing to a second year in the NBL's Next Stars program as he pursues an NBA career.[/p][p]Dash is the younger brother of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/atlanta-hawks/xAO4gBas/"]Atlanta Hawks[/a] guard Dyson Daniels, who recently became the youngest ever player to finish second in the NBA's Most Valuable Defensive Player category having led the competition for both steals and deflections. [/p][p]The 18-year-old had a thrilling NBL26 season that was highlighted by Melbourne United's in-season exhibition match against the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-orleans-pelicans/U3yc9SkP/"]New Orlean Pelicans[/a], during which Daniels [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/news/basketball-nba-a-regular-season-nba-game-in-australia-here-s-what-the-future-may-hold/IR7Opq1f/"]won the praise of both Zion Williamson and then-coach Willie Green[/a], who said he "[b]caused some havoc[/b]" with "[b]defensive instincts that are really similar to his brother[/b]". [/p][p]Daniels posted 11 points and six rebounds against the Pelicans whilst also displaying the defensive prowess marking the likes of Williamson and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/murphy-trey/WEmFUy67/"]Trey Murphy[/a] III. [/p][p]He was the second-most accurate three-point shooter on the United roster during NBL26, hitting 36% from long range, and his journey took another step forward during the NBL off-season when he was crowned as the best defender at the 2026 Adidas Eurocamp, which is marketed as the "[b]premier pre-draft scouting event[/b]" for NBA and European hopefuls. [/p][embed guid="199a8aad-ce3f-4d67-8b10-714c914dbb39" url="https://x.com/AusBballnews/status/2077258778148585529" social-type="twitter" /][p]Daniels is currently ranked at number 40 on [a href="https://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/49101766/2027-nba-mock-draft-no-1-pick-options-top-players-race-picks" target="_blank"]ESPN's mock draft for 2027[/a], opting for a second year in the NBL's successful Next Stars program with the hope of becoming a first round pick. [/p][p]The program produced a first round selection at the 2026 draft when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-zealand-breakers/lGkISusQ/"]New Zealand[/a] Breakers small forward [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lopez-karim/A35Lf8I4/"]Karim López[/a] was chosen as pick 21  by the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/detroit-pistons/UcjMRj6J/"]Detroit Pistons[/a], who immediately traded him to the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/memphis-grizzlies/U1I5YSDa/"]Memphis Grizzlies[/a]. [/p][p]According to [a href="https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/49362714/nbl-dash-daniels-melbourne-united-nbl27-next-star-south-east-melbourne-phoenix" target="_blank"]ESPN's NBL insider Olgun Uluc[/a], United's crosstown rivals [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/south-east-melbourne/CzghfrJC/"]South East Melbourne Phoenix[/a] are first in line to secure Daniels' signature for NBL27.[/p][p]Uluc reported earlier this week that Daniels has already met with the Phoenix and toured their facilities at the State Basketball Centre.[/p][p]The Phoenix are looking for a new Next Stars prospect after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lewis-malique/6DyHgZx6/"]Malique Lewis[/a] was drafted by the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/milwaukee-bucks/QTBEW6rC/"]Milwaukee Bucks[/a] earlier this year as the 60th and final selection. [/p][p]“[b]I have nothing but respect for Melbourne United," Daniels said in a media statement on Wednesday.[/b][/p][p]"It's a highly professional organisation from top to bottom, and I've valued every part of my journey with the club.[/p][p]“[b]I'm excited for what's ahead, but I'll always look back on my time with Melbourne United with amazing memories and true appreciation.[/b]”[/p][p]The NBL27 season tips off on September 19 when United host runners-up [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/adelaide-36ers/IPtzLy4C/"]Adelaide 36ers[/a], two weeks after the NBL Blitz pre-season tournament in the regional Victorian city of Bendigo.[/p][infobox id="d39bc573-b9dd-4b87-acb9-2de1f22d36c7" /]