The Minnesota Timberwolves have done a better job of empowering Jaden McDaniels over the past two seasons. He's earned this extra responsibility due to his growth as a self-creator.
The Wolves have drawn up more plays for McDaniels early in games this season, and LaMelo Ball has helped him. McDaniels has responded by averaging 15 points while shooting 59.1 percent from the field. Despite this, McDaniels' second-half involvement has wavered. In fact, during the first half of games, McDaniels ranks second on the team in field goal attempts, but he ranks fifth in second-half shot attempts.
This wasn't really a problem for the Wolves in their first three games, as they dominated en route to a 3-0 start. However, during Monday's loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers, McDaniels' lack of second-half involvement became an issue. McDaniels was cooking in the first half. He had 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting. Unfortunately, McDaniels only had three shot attempts in the second half before fouling out in overtime.
In fairness, McDaniels only made one of his three field goals, and Anthony Edwards was incredible down the stretch of the game. Plus, one could argue that McDaniels needed to be more aggressive. Still, there were certainly times when the Timberwolves could've involved McDaniels more, particularly given the advantageous matchup he had.
Jaden McDaniels deserves a bigger role in the Timberwolves' second-half offense
To be clear, the Timberwolves not involving Jaden in their second-half offense wasn't the number one reason they lost. Rudy Gobert's 0-for-9 shooting was a major issue. So were the missed free throws.
Regardless, McDaniels' offensive involvement was a factor, especially since the Wolves could've used some extra offense outside of Ant.
The Wolves' offense is filled with talented creators, which, in turn, opens up advantages for McDaniels to attack. That's part of why Jaden has started the year so strong. In the case of the Cavs' game, James Harden was primarily guarding McDaniels. He proved that he could punish him in the first half, and it's a shame the Wolves stopped going back to the well.
In future games, the Timberwolves need to emphasize McDaniels' involvement in the second half as much as they do in the first half. McDaniels will almost always have a favorable matchup, and the Wolves need to take advantage of that at all points in the game.
Simply put, McDaniels attacking mismatches is always going to be good offense, whether it's in the first quarter or the fourth quarter. Likewise, McDaniels gives the Wolves' offense another element. He's now one of the Wolves' offensive focal points, and they should treat him as such for all four quarters.
The Timberwolves have done a better job of involving McDaniels in their offense this season. However, to truly unleash him, they need to give him more second-half responsibilities. Doing so will make McDaniels and the Timberwolves' offense even better.
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