What will Jaden McDaniels contract look like?

Mikal Bridges – Wing

Contract signed: $21 million in year 1 | 16.98% of the 2022-23 cap

The 2023-24 year 1 equivalent: $23,096,365.80

Contract year comparison:

• McDaniels: 12.1ppg | 3.9rpg | 1.9 apg | 39.8 3pt% | 59.1 eFG%
• Bridges: 14.2ppg | 4.4rpg | 2.3apg | 36.9 3pt % | .601 eFG%

One of the closest comparisons to Jaden McDaniels is former Suns wing Mikal Bridges at the time he signed his deal. They were both defensive stalwarts who were incredibly efficient when given opportunities offensively. Bridges had a larger offensive role with a 22.6 usage rate to Jaden’s 15.8 usage. Bridges overall were more impactful offensively and as a rebounder, though Jaden is much younger at the time of an extension (Bridges – 25, McDaniels 22).

I think if you’re Tim Connely trying to justify that range of $21-24 million range suggested by Darren Wolfson, pointing to Mikal Bridge’s contract is a great place to start.

OG Anunoby – Wing

Contract Signed: $16 million in year 1 | 14.3% of the 2021-2022 cap

The 2023-24 equivalent: $19,451,003

Contract year comparison:

• McDaniels: 12.1ppg | 3.9rpg | 1.9 apg | 39.8 3pt% | 59.1 eFG%
• Anunoby: 10.6ppg | 4.3 rpg | 1.6apg | 39 3pt% | 58.4 eFG%

In terms of role, this is the absolute closest comparison. Both players are defensive stoppers who regularly take on the toughest matchups and were efficient floor spacers offensively, but seldom used. Jaden, without question, was a better player in the contract year across the board. Jaden is already a legitimate all-defensive team candidate, whereas Anunoby was very good but not quite consistently elite yet. In this head-to-head comparison, Jaden would without question command a higher salary at the negotiating table.

Cameron Johnson – Wing

Contract Signed: $24.5 million in year 1 | 18.88% of the 2022-23 cap

The 2023-24 contract year comparison:

• McDaniels: 12.1ppg | 3.9rpg | 1.9 apg | 39.8 3pt% | 59.1 eFG%
• Johnson: 15.5ppg | 4.8rpg | 2.1apg | 37.2 3pt% | 56.5 eFG%

This is the contract that I believe will inflate Jaden’s market. While may have been more impactful offensively, he also had a much lesser role and impact defensively. While he isn’t an elite defender by any measure, Cam is a stronger rebounder and can hold his own on that end. He is also 27 years old and likely is what he is at this point, whereas 22-year-old Jaden is still several years away from his prime.

This is a deal that Jaden’s agent Bill Duffy will be pointing to in negotiations as the baseline, and it’s a fairly good argument that Jaden is more valuable of a player given his age, far superior defensive prowess, and still developing offensive game.