Jaden McDaniels' massive leap changes everything for the Timberwolves

Jaden McDaniels has always been an elite defender and a key part of the Minnesota Timberwolves' success. However, he has reached a new level offensively this season. The 6-foot-9 forward is averaging a career-high 15.7 points and 2.7 assists on 51/41.9/85.9 shooting splits. McDaniels has improved significantly as a self-creator and 3-point shooter. This is a notable jump from his previous career-high of 12.2 points.

Last season, McDaniels ranked in the 18th percentile for points per isolation possession; now he's shot up to the 76th percentile. He is also shooting an impressive 72.4 percent at the rim on a career-high attempts. Entering this season, McDaniels was a career 34.8 percent 3-point shooter, and last year he shot 33 percent from 3-point range, so his 41.9 3-point percentage is a notable jump.

While McDaniels' offensive growth is immense, it shouldn't be all that surprising. McDaniels has shot 42 percent in the playoffs for his career and averaged 14.3 points in the second half of last season.

Regardless, McDaniels' leap gives the Wolves more offensive firepower, which could ultimately set them up for another deep playoff run.

McDaniels unlocks another element for the Timberwolves

McDaniels' improved self-creation gives the Timberwolves' offense an extra element. He looks more comfortable with the ball in his hands and attacks defenses with more decisiveness.

Of course, Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle are the Wolves' first and second options. However, before McDaniels was a consistent creator, opposing defenses could zero in on Edwards and Randle more. If one or both of these players had an off night, it was all but guaranteed that the Wolves' offense would struggle as a whole.

Now, though, McDaniels is a quality third option, and the Wolves can better withstand nights where Edwards and/or Randle might not be on their A-game.

McDaniels' improvements as a shooter bring similar benefits to the Timberwolves' offense. Before McDaniels was a dependable 3-point shooter, opposing teams would more often double Edwards and Randle. That's not to say defenses still don't do this at all, of course, they do, especially against Ant; you have to double him. However, they can't double him as much now that McDaniels can knock down open shots.

Last year and in years before, opponents could simply sag off McDaniels and send the house on Ant. If you try this now, McDaniels will make you pay, and you'll have to switch up your coverage to account for him. Notably, McDaniels is shooting 45.6 percent catch-and-shoot 3s this season. Now, opposing teams simply have to pick their poison when trying to stop the Wolves.

It's no coincidence that McDaniels' offensive growth has led to the Wolves posting their best offense of the Anthony Edwards era. The 17-10 Wolves still have some things to work out, but come playoff time, this offense has more upside in large part due to McDaniels' leap.