Jaden McDaniels has been a key piece of the Minnesota Timberwolves since being drafted in 2020. But if his performance in the Wolves’ season-opening victory against the Miami Heat is any indication, he’s about to be an even more important player on the verge of an offensive breakout.
The Timberwolves have talked up a bigger role on offense for the 26-year-old throughout the offseason, and he validated the hype with 17 points in the 131-106 victory on Wednesday night. While the point total is impressive, his efficiency stood out even more as he shot 8-for-11 from the floor and 1-for-3 on 3-pointers.
While Chris Finch would probably like to see a couple more 3-pointers go in, it was a strong season debut for McDaniels and could have him on the brink of taking the next step that fans have been hoping for in recent years.
Timberwolves unlocked Jaden McDaniels’ offensive potential during the offseason
The 28th overall pick in the NBA Draft, McDaniels has become one of the Wolves’ most indispensable players. His defense has frustrated opposing wings, and he was named to the NBA’s second All-Defense team during the 2023-24 season. While that was enough to earn him a one-year, $40 million contract extension this week, fans and the team have been waiting for McDaniels to grow in his offensive game to become a more well-rounded player.
The seeds were planted last year when McDaniels averaged a career-high 14.8 points. Like his line on Wednesday night, the points per game weren’t nearly as important as his efficiency, as he shot a career-high 41.2 percent on 3-pointers, and his 51.5 percent overall shooting percentage was the second-highest of his career, trailing a 51.7 percent clip during the 2022-23 season.
Early in the offseason, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly made it clear that he believes McDaniels can level up.
“I think without question it’s discussions we’ve had over the last several years. Jaden has a whole ‘nother gear to reach,” Connelly saidvia OnSI and Zone Coverage writer Andrew Dukowitz. “We want to keep raising the bar. As good as he is, we know his best basketball is in front of him. I think there’s a lot more he can unlock as a playmaker too. We have to ensure that he’s in a position to do those things.”
The vision was put into overdrive as the Wolves shook up their roster this offseason. McDaniels saw more opportunity when Julius Randle was traded to the Brooklyn Nets and Naz Reid was traded to the Charlotte Hornets.
LaMelo Ball, who was acquired in the same deal that sent Randle to Brooklyn and Reid to Charlotte, was a key part of that plan, setting up McDaniels for more looks at the rim. But it was McDaniels who made it work, scoring nine points in the first quarter, including a 3-pointer that gave Minnesota a 25-17 lead with 5:51 remaining in the opening frame.
That set the tone for the Wolves and added to some of the other things that McDaniels can bring when he’s on his game.
McDaniels looks like the complete player the Timberwolves need
Before the season, Finch called out McDaniels for help on the glass, and on Wednesday night he delivered by grabbing eight rebounds. McDaniels was also a catalyst for Minnesota, helping the Wolves outscore the Heat by 25 points during his 29 minutes on the floor.
Of course, McDaniels’s biggest draw is his defense, and he cashed in with three steals on the night. Those steals helped create fast-break opportunities that helped Minnesota pick up the pace from a year ago and while they only finished with five fast-break points, they created good looks at the basket, giving the Wolves the chance to shoot 47 percent from the floor and 42 percent from downtown as a team.
McDaniels still isn’t likely to put up 45 points like Anthony Edwards did in the victory. It may even be a stretch to see him average 20 points per night. But the growth in his offensive game was on full display in the season opener, and it may give the Wolves and their fans exactly what they’ve been anticipating throughout the summer.
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