The Minnesota Timberwolves signed Jaden McDaniels to a one-year, $40 million extension on Monday, keeping him under contract through the 2029-30 season, per insider Shams Charania.
Midway through his five-year rookie extension, which Minnesota locked him into in 2023, McDaniels' two-way growth has been acknowledged by the franchise, padding the back end of his current contract.
With McDaniels entering his age-26 season, the Timberwolves gave themselves a head start on future contract negotiations, as he will still be in the physical prime of his career when he's due for another renewal.
Coming Off A Career Year
McDaniels is owed $26,200,000 heading into his seventh NBA season, and he is worth every penny.
The Timberwolves' standout is coming off a career year, averaging highs in scoring (14.8 points), assists (2.7), and three-point efficiency (41.2%) in 2025-26.
Additionally, McDaniels shot 51.5 percent from the field and added one block and 1.1 steals per game. By definition, he is a star in his role and one of the league's elite defenders, despite being omitted from All-NBA honors last term.
McDaniels earned an All-Defensive Second Team selection in 2024 and could make the leap to the First Team this year.
Underrated Offensive Weapon
Even though the Timberwolves added All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball to bolster their offense, teams shouldn't overlook McDaniels in their scouting reports. In fact, they should probably keep a closer eye on him because of it.
The upcoming campaign will be the first of McDaniels' and Anthony Edwards' careers with an elite point guard in their prime running the show.
Head coach Chris Finch has already noticed the difference in the quality and lower difficulty of looks Edwards has been getting in preseason; the same will be true for McDaniels, who, despite earning his stripes as a lockdown defender, has significantly developed the offensive side of his game in recent years.
McDaniels' stroke looked really good in preseason. He featured in four games and averaged 16.7 points over the last three.
He shot 61 percent from the field across all four, including an impressive 71 percent from beyond the arc — knocking down 10 of 14 attempts. He also didn't miss a free throw (9-for-9), a good sign for a willing slasher.
Playing with a point guard like Ball will require all of Minnesota's players to keep their hands ready. Ball will find shooting pockets and keep the floor stretched. Edwards, a secondary playmaker, and center Rudy Gobert kicking out from the inside will do the same.
With all eyes on the Wolves' dynamic backcourt duo, McDaniels could be looking at another career year for scoring, especially if his sniper-like perimeter shooting holds up.
The Timberwolves would be glad to see it, as they look to get over the Western Conference Finals hump after being eliminated there twice in the last three seasons.