Jaden McDaniels agreed to a one-year, $40 million extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night. In doing so, he became the first player in NBA history to secure an extension with three fully guaranteed seasons remaining on a non-max contract. This adds to the growing list of how much the Wolves value McDaniels.
McDaniels had been eligible for a two-year, $87 extension since October 1, but there was no urgency for either side with him being under contract until 2029. As noted earlier, with this much time left on a current contract, it's unprecedented for an extension to happen.
Still, the Timberwolves clearly wanted to be proactive and ensure that they kept McDaniels around. And while it's just for one season, paying a non-All-Star $40 million is a vote of confidence in the second-apron era. To be clear, I think it's a great move for the Timberwolves, but it's not one that every team would've made.
Jaden McDaniels' extension is the latest example of the Timberwolves' belief in him
The Wolves' confidence in McDaniels is nothing new, though. Just months into Tim Connelly's tenure as president of basketball operations, he refused to trade McDaniels in a deal for Rudy Gobert, opting to include a bevy of picks instead.
In 2023, the Wolves inked a five-year, $136 million deal with McDaniels. At the time, it was a controversial extension, but it's since aged like fine wine. Amid rumors linking the Timberwolves to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Minnesota was always firm about keeping McDaniels.
According to Jon Krawczynski, the LaMelo Ball trade was equally about Jaden McDaniels as it was about Anthony Edwards.
The Timberwolves have been vindicated for their belief in McDaniels numerous times, as he has transformed from a defensive specialist with athletic gifts into a legitimately elite third option.
McDaniels can score at all three levels and is a matchup nightmare due to his blend of size and shot-making. He averaged 14.8 points last season, and Ball's playmaking could take him to another level, possibly All-Star status this season. That would certainly help McDaniels earn his $40 million price tag.
Even if he generally stays the same, he is one of the best defenders in the league and a gifted tertiary creator. Furthermore, since McDaniels' contract is worth 21 percent of the cap, it'll be the equivalent of $34.6 million this season. Simply put, this deal is good business for the Timberwolves.
Again, though, as evidenced by the lack of previous extensions for non-max players with three years left, this isn't something most teams would've done, and it's still a big number.
McDaniels could earn an even more sizable payday in 2028, with his new contract being worth up to $56 million a year. That's why he took one less year than he's eligible for. And based on the Wolves' belief in McDaniels, they'll be eager to extend him two years from now, as they should be.
Without a doubt, the Timberwolves' extending McDaniels this soon is another example of their unwavering belief in him.
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