Jaden McDaniels has undoubtedly been one of the Minnesota Timberwolves' best players over the past few seasons. McDaniels is coming off a career-best season where he averaged 12.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2 assists on 47.7/33/81.3 shooting splits. His two-way impact has been crucial to Minnesota's recent success. However, the 6-foot-9 forward will be even more important to the Wolves next season.
McDaniels is primed for a bigger role
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a free agent this summer, and he is expected to leave. While Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jaylen Clark will have bigger roles, McDaniels' impact will be even more vital for the Wolves. He may see a slight minute increase from this past season's average of 31.9. However, it will be more about maximizing his impact while he's on the court.
McDaniels will continue to be an elite on-ball stopper, drawing the most diffcult matchup each game. Regardless, McDaniels needs to maintain discipline on defense. Notably, he averaged a career-low 2.7 fouls this past season. This trend must continue, likely without NAW's defense off the bench. Offensively, McDaniels has typically played an off-ball role. However, he showed some upside as a shot creator this past season, including averaging 14.7 points in the playoffs.
At 24, this aspect of McDaniels' game may develop further. The Wolves' lack of shot creation outside of Anthony Edwards was highly problematic in the Western Conference Finals. If McDaniels can provide consistent production and creation next to Edwards and Randle, it undoubtedly would change the Wolves' championship chances. The Wolves are unlikely to make any major moves and are thus betting on McDaniels' development.
The Wolves need McDaniels against the West's best
Wing/forward play has never been more important. The Oklahoma City Thunder just won a title in part due to elite wing play from Jalen Williams and Lu Dort. The Houston Rockets just traded for Kevin Durant and have the league's best wing core with KD, Amen Thompson, and Tari Eason. On both ends of the floor, McDaniels will be vital when matching up with the Thunder and Rockets, who project to be the best teams in the West.
The Wolves were in the mix for Durant, but talks ultimately fell through when KD said he didn't want to play in Minnesota. It was also rumored that the Wolves weren't willing to offer Durant the full contract he was eligible for. Minnesota is now committed to a core of Edwards, Randle, McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert. Overall, McDaniels is likely the biggest X-factor for this core to reach its championship goals.