Timberwolves lock up rising star with $40 million deal ahead of NBA season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are making another significant investment in their future, securing one of their most important players for another season.
All-Defensive forward Jaden McDaniels has agreed to a one-year, $40 million contract extension that will keep him in Minnesota through the 2029-30 NBA season. His agents, Nima Namakian of Innovate Sports and Bill Duffy of WME Basketball, confirmed the agreement to ESPN's Shams Charania on Monday.
The extension represents another major commitment from Minnesota as the franchise continues building a championship contender around superstar Anthony Edwards.
McDaniels originally signed a five-year, $136 million contract in 2023. With his latest extension, the Timberwolves now have $124 million committed to the 26-year-old forward over the next four seasons.
The deal also provides McDaniels with financial flexibility. He will become eligible to negotiate another extension in 2028 or potentially enter free agency in 2030 as a 10-year NBA veteran.
McDaniels earned his latest payday following an impressive 2025-26 campaign.
The versatile forward averaged a career-high 14.8 points while shooting 51.5% from the field and 41% from three-point range. He also contributed 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals and one block per game.
His postseason performances further demonstrated his value.
McDaniels increased his scoring average to 16.3 points during the playoffs, highlighted by a 32-point performance in Game 6 against the Denver Nuggets that helped Minnesota advance past the opening round.
However, his defensive versatility remains his greatest strength.
Since being selected 28th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, McDaniels has developed into one of the league's premier perimeter defenders, frequently guarding opposing All-Stars.
With Edwards, Rudy Gobert and newly acquired LaMelo Ball alongside him, McDaniels gives Minnesota another essential piece of its championship aspirations.
Edwards has already expressed confidence in his teammate's continued development, predicting McDaniels could earn his first All-Star selection this season.
For Minnesota, the $40 million investment signals confidence that McDaniels' best basketball is still ahead.
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