The 2024 season for Jaden McDaniels should act as a teaser for what is to come for the foreseeable future. McDaniels averaged career bests in points and rebounds, scoring 12.2 points a game and pulling down 5.7 rebounds per game. When we take a closer inspection at these numbers, we see that there was a clear turning point, which shows offensive promise for the future.
Jaden McDaniels' 2024-25 season was a tale of two halves
McDaniels got off to an abysmal start last season. While Minnesota struggled as a whole to begin the season, integrating the recently acquired Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, McDaniels' struggles offensively stood out, as he was a complete non-factor.
From the beginning of the season to Dec 31, McDaniels averaged a mere 9.6 points and 4.6 rebounds, on just 43% from the field and 30% from three. It seemed that McDaniels was disengaged on offense, outside of the occasional corner three-point attempt.
During this period of struggle, it became apparent that McDaniels is not your typical 3-and-D wing, who defends the best perimeter offensive player and is a knockdown three-point shooter. For the season, McDaniels shot a combined 32% from both corner three-pointers. It got to a point where defenses would completely disregard him when he was in the corner, almost daring him to shoot.
These shooting issues were compounded by the struggle of integrating Julius Randle into the starting lineup, as well as an offensive regression from both Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley. McDaniels' offensive performance would ultimately perform as a litmus test for Minnesota, with his highs indicating good for the team and his lows indicating bad.
After what seemed like a disastrous three of basketball for the Timberwolves, they finally were building an identity and catching a rhythm towards the end of and beginning of February. Unironically, this was around the time McDaniels started to see consistent offensive performances, scoring, with McDaniels reaching double digits in 11 out of 16 games during the month of January.
This stretch from McDaniels would ultimately lay down the foundation for the best stretch of play in McDaniels' career, with two factors contributing to the offensive transformation.
"I am forgetting how tall and athletic I am"
This is a direct quote from McDaniels after a 27-point performance against the Mavericks. This statement encapsulates the mindset that McDaniels would embrace in the latter parts of the season. Rather than settling for corner 3-pointers -- which he clearly struggled with -- McDaniels would aggressively attack lazy closeouts from defenses, and create midrange jump shots or dunks and layups. Because of how teams would match up with Minnesota, McDaniels would often find himself being guarded by opposing teams' weaker defenders, easily allowing him to take advantage with his 6-foot-9 frame.
This playstyle shift also saw McDaniels perform ball-handling responsibilities and get to his midrange pull-up, on which he shot a strong 46% on all attempts. As the season went on, McDaniels was able to put together consistent offensive performances and reached a career-high 30 points in a 114-98 victory over the Trail Blazers. While the scoring was important, there was something else he added to his game that proved to be essential.
McDaniels' rebounding was a major factor in the Timberwolves' turnaround
While McDaniels was going through his scoring troubles, he was also a non-factor on the boards. During the highlighted beginning of the season to the end of December stretch, McDaniels averaged a disappointing 4.6 rebounds per game. For a team that just lost a 7-foot rebounding machine in Karl Anthony-Towns, McDaniels needed to increase his rebounding numbers, which he was unfortunately unable to do at this time.
Throughout January, McDaniels' rebounding numbers fluctuated, but the following month would be a breakthrough in his rebounding numbers.
In the month of February, McDaniels nearly doubled his rebounding numbers to an impressive 8.4 boards per game. The increased rebounding numbers proved to be not only big for his personal development, but also for the Wolves' season.
Jaden McDaniels is the Timberwolves' X-Factor
While Anthony Edwards is the head of the ship, the Timberwolves' performance is also a direct reflection of McDaniels' performance. His defensive impact is already solidified for the team, but when he is performing offensively alongside Anthony Edwards, Minnesota is among the league's top contenders.
While McDaniels' offensive usage has been anything but consistent, he should be among the Wolves' top offensive options for the foreseeable future. McDaniels will turn 25 shortly before the season starts, making an offensive leap possible.