Do the Minnesota Timberwolves have a true No. 2 option next to Anthony Edwards? Is Julius Randle consistent enough to be this guy? Will the Wolves be forced to address this need in the offseason? Timberwolves fans have long been asking these questions. Likewise, they've been in the mix for stars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant.
However, the playoffs have shown us that the Wolves do have a second option next to Ant and with all due respect to Randle -- Minnesota's second option is none other than Jaden McDaniels.
Right now, it's realistically more of a 2A-2B situation, and Randle still typically earns the tougher matchup.
Nevertheless, McDaniels' offensive growth has been immense, and at 25, he's only going to continue leveling up. It couldn't be clearer that McDaniels is the long-term Robin to Ant's Batman, and it certainly doesn't hurt that McDaniels is Edwards' best friend.
Jaden McDaniels is the perfect co-star next to Anthony Edwards
McDaniels averaged 17.8 points against the Denver Nuggets in the first-round. He now famously called the Nuggets' entire team bad defenders, and he lived up to this bold claim.
Fittingly, McDaniels capped off his stellar series with a 32-point outburst in Game 6. With Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, and Ayo Dosunmu all out, McDaniels gave the Wolves the first-option scoring production they sorely needed. McDaniels delivered this excellent performance while playing swarming defense on Jamal Murray. His two-way impact and offensive scalability make him a perfect running mate next to Ant.
All series long, McDaniels scored at will around the rim. Notably, he shot 72.7 percent at the rim. Furthermore, he punished the Nuggets' defense with his smooth mid-range scoring. McDaniels' blend of ball-handling, size, speed, and self-creation gives the Wolves an element that's difficult to match.
This skill set makes him a perfect complement next to Ant, especially given that he can excel both on and off the ball and is an elite defender.
Not to do a victory lap (trust me, I'm wrong about plenty of things), but throughout the season, I've advocated for McDaniels to be empowered more as a self-creator. McDaniels' growth as a shot creator dictated a larger role in the offense, and the Wolves fully committed to empowering him in the first-round.
The Timberwolves will have their hands full with the San Antonio Spurs in the second-round. Without a doubt, though, the Wolves have to continue to lean on McDaniels shot creation, and that's not even mentioning how crucial his elite defense will be.
Simply put, McDaniels is giving the Wolves a blueprint they can't ignore. Regardless of how the rest of the playoffs go or what the roster looks like next year, the Wolves must continue to make McDaniels a focal point of their offense; he's too good not to be.
For far too long, McDaniels was simply viewed as a great defender. Now, though, it's clear that he can be a featured offensive piece on an elite team.
When it's all said and done, the Ant-McDaniels duo might lead the Wolves to their first-ever NBA championship.
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