An interesting offseason seems to be in store for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tim Connelly is never afraid of making a big splash, and Julius Randle will be heavily speculated to be dealt away.Â
It’s safe to say the offseason has the possibility of going in a number of different directions. What the offseason shapes out to be could be due in part to how the team truly feels about Jaden McDaniels.
McDaniels could be ready for a larger offensive role
Now six years deep into his NBA career, McDaniels is coming off his best season on the offensive end. His 14.8 points per game are a career-high, as are his 41.2 percent 3-point and 83.5 percent free-throw accuracy.
He had his second career 30-point game in the regular season, and an additional 16 outings scoring at least 20. In the series-clinching Game 6 against the Denver Nuggets, McDaniels scored 32.
That 32-point game came without Anthony Edwards in the lineup. Unsurprisingly, the 25-year-old has had a larger role in the offense whenever Ant-Man is out. McDaniels has averaged 17.4 points in the 34 games of his career that he has played with Edwards unavailable.
So do the Timberwolves believe that there is more to be unlocked for McDaniels? He is entering his prime ages, so further improvement can be expected.
The past two seasons, Minnesota has had a clear first and second option on offense in Edwards and Randle respectively. Trading Randle could put McDaniels in that second option role, at least on some nights. That would depend on who the Wolves get back for Randle, as well as if Connelly and crew find a way to add a co-star in another trade.
Their belief in McDaniels may also be seen in how seriously they get involved in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes. It’s going to be very hard to come up with a package good enough to entice the Milwaukee Bucks without involving McDaniels.
Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report has recently stated that Minnesota is out of said sweepstakes, in large part due to their unwillingness to part with McDaniels, although that is always subject to change.
McDaniels has three more years on his deal for approximately $84 million. Come October 1, McDaniels can sign an extension for two more seasons for up to $87 million.
Will the Timberwolves offer him that full amount? Will they let him go into next year as the second scoring option? Will they decide they want Giannis and include him in a trade package? A lot of questions all around for Minnesota this offseason, and a lot will be learned about their true feelings on McDaniels.
Add us as a preferred source on Google