Jaden McDaniels ☆ Follow

Over rates and minutes projection: turn on Prediction tools.

Starts 3 of 3 games · 3rd on MIN in minutes · Core role

Bars: minutes in his last 3 games · numbers: points

Situational splits: turn on Prediction tools.

Every situation, with four seasons of history →

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 2 points · 12 h ago
  • Jack Borman: Host analysis: when Dosunmu and Shannon play together, the Wolves can park Edwards in the corner, and McDaniels can play more off the ball as a complementary piece attacking off the catch. at 4:59
  • Jack Borman: During the run, LaMelo Ball had 3 assists, two of them lobs: one to McDaniels and one from near half court to Joan Beringer. The host thought one lob went to Shannon but said he couldn't remember. at 12:07

  “WOLVES POSTCAST: Timberwolves DOMINATE Raptors 117-94 in Home Opener | INSTANT REACTION” · listen ↗

• Podcast Hardwood Knocks host · Analysis · Oct 24 around the league

  The Heat could only really attack Anthony Edwards when LaMelo was on the bench, and the host suggests Edwards is seeing more single coverage. Jaden McDaniels has looked pretty good.

  “The 2026-27 NBA Overreactions Draft!” at 1:19:18 · listen ↗

• Podcast Ben Beacon (Locked On Wolves) (reported), via Locked On NBA · Relayed report · Oct 24 around the league

  Minnesota beat Orlando 115-93 and is 2-0. Ant scored 15 on 5-of-23. Jaden McDaniels scored 15, fantastic for a second straight game. Ayo Dosunmu had 14 off the bench. The Wolves grabbed 22 offensive rebounds, with Rudy a big part of that.

  “BEST NBA NIGHT EVER! YOU HAD TO BE THERE!” at 26:43 · listen ↗

  also reported by Jack Borman, Locked On Wolves

• Bluesky @ericpincus.bsky.social · Report · Oct 24

  Latest at Casino.org: Why Jaden McDaniels’ $40 Million Timberwolves Extension Works for Both Sides:

  original post ↗

• Podcast Locked On Magic host · Report · Oct 24 around the league

  Rudy Gobert deterred the Magic all night: Franz Wagner passed up a clear first-half layup for a three. On the opening play, a designed look got Franz a layup at the rim that McDaniels blocked.

  “WARNING SIGNS: Orlando Magic struggle to PIECE team together, fall to 0-2 in opening homestand” at 16:29 · listen ↗

• Story ESPN · Article · Oct 23

  Despite low output from Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves dominate glass and roll Magic 115-93

  source ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 2 points · 12 h ago
  • The host credits him with helping slow Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett. at 24:33
  • McDaniels is averaging 16 points through three games and has scored 14+ in every game. The host argues defenses will put lesser defenders on him because of Edwards and Ball, and says he "should be really averaging 16-plus points" this year. at 25:24

  “Minnesota Timberwolves DOMINATE Toronto Raptors, Remain Unbeaten | Another Offensive Barrage From Wolves” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 4 points · Oct 23
  • Jack's view of roles: Edwards and LaMelo are the stars, with some combination of Dosunmu, Jaden, Rudy and Kuminga doing the little things. at 9:34
  • Jaden McDaniels had 6 rebounds tonight (3 in the first couple of minutes) after 8 in the opener. Jack argues McDaniels rebounds well when he isn't guarding the opponent's top player. at 15:47
  • Jack Borman: Jack expects Kuminga to guard Scotty Barnes on Sunday against Toronto, and says it is a bit different with Jaden guarding Kawhi. at 15:59
  • Jack can't think of many players with softer touch around the rim than Jaden McDaniels. at 16:49

  “WOLVES POSTCAST: T-Wolves CRUISE PAST ORLANDO MAGIC In Total Team Effort, 115-93” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 11 points · Oct 23
  • The host describes the regular starting lineup as the core four plus Jonathan Kuminga. The small-ball lineup is the core four plus Ayo Dosunmu, whom he assumes is the sixth man. at 2:43
  • Within the four-man lineup, Edwards scored 23 of his 45 points and Jaden McDaniels had six rebounds. The host first said nine, then corrected himself to six. at 4:10
  • Jaden McDaniels had 8 rebounds in 29 minutes against Miami. The host calls this a higher rebound rate than usual for him. at 5:43
  • Ayo Dosunmu is on the floor with the core group, McDaniels plays the four by default. The host frames Kuminga as an undersized four. at 5:58
  • Minnesota ran some plays specifically for McDaniels, including a pin-down in the right corner. The host thought his decision-making was good, such as pump-faking a semi-contested shot. at 15:48
  • First-quarter set, run multiple times: McDaniels comes up to screen the man guarding LaMelo Ball, then slips. Ball rises from deep and dumps the ball to McDaniels near the free-throw line for a floater, with Edwards and Kuminga in the corners and Gobert in the dunker spot. at 16:10
  • The host is concerned about running the McDaniels slip action a lot. It takes the two best offensive players out of the play, and Gobert and Kuminga are the two worst shooters among the five, so spacing would be poor in theory. at 19:16
  • The host would prefer to see Jonathan Kuminga as the screener in that action more often. That lets McDaniels, the better catch-and-shoot shooter, space the floor, and gets Kuminga downhill without asking him to attack off the dribble on the perimeter. at 20:02
  • McDaniels attacked closeouts and drove into the paint. The host argues that as the third option next to Edwards and Ball, he will face defenders in rotation and can attack their feet or shoot. at 21:33
  • The host says McDaniels and Kuminga will each have plenty of opportunities in this offense, with which one gets more depending on the night. He expects the team to switch up who sets the screens. at 22:40
  • Keys for Orlando: how much the Wolves can push the pace (the host thinks they can) and rebounding with all five, including McDaniels repeating his work on the glass. at 30:08

  “How The Minnesota Timberwolves' Offense DOMINATED | Unlocking Jonathan Kuminga & Jaden McDaniels” · listen ↗

• Podcast The Herd with Colin Cowherd host · Report · Oct 22 around the league

  For the Wolves, Jaden McDaniels played great coming off his contract extension. Jonathan Kuminga was solid, and Gobert was great defensively. Minnesota won by 25.

  “What's Wright - NBA Opening Night REACTION, Caleb Williams vs. Drake Maye, Chiefs-Seahawks MASSIVE game” at 36:37 · listen ↗

  also reported by Zach Lowe, The Zach Lowe Show, Jon Krawczynski (@jonkrawczynski.bsky.social), Shams Charania (reported), via Numbers on the Board, Ben Beecken, Locked On Wolves

• Podcast Gil's Arena · Analysis · Oct 22 around the league

  Brendan Haywood said that in past years Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert clogged the paint when Edwards isolated. Now Jaden McDaniels plays the 4 and spaces the floor, Gobert stays under the basket, and Jonathan Kuminga can be subbed out for another shooter.

  “Luka's Snowtime Lakers COOK GSW, Ant-Man & Lamelo WENT CRAZY vs MIA & AD Goes VINTAGE In D.C.! Part 1” at 49:54 · listen ↗

• Podcast Zach Lowe, The Zach Lowe Show · Prediction · Oct 22 around the league

  Lowe thinks Jaden McDaniels is primed for about 19 points a game and fringe All-Star talk.

  “Opening Night Overreactions, Alarming Trends, Hot Takes, and More!” at 23:18 · listen ↗

  also reported by Hardwood Knocks

• Podcast First Take host · Report · Oct 22 around the league

  Jaden McDaniels had three steals and Jonathan Kuminga had four, with both in double figures for Minnesota. Kuminga is with the Timberwolves.

  “Hour 1: Does LaMelo Ball unlock an MVP year for Anthony Edwards?” at 3:31 · listen ↗

  also reported by Locked On NBA host

• Podcast Locked On NBA · 4 points · Oct 22
  • Analysis, probably Matt's: Finch brings a screener into LaMelo Ball's actions every time. Defenses then have to account for Gobert slipping to the rim or Jaden McDaniels moving into space. at 3:15
  • Jaden McDaniels scored 17. Minnesota has him set half-court screens for LaMelo Ball and then slip into space. at 7:12
  • Hayes: last year Minnesota needed McDaniels as a secondary creator, because Mike Conley was 'basically aged out' and Edwards was the only primary guy. Now LaMelo Ball and Edwards are the two primary creators, and McDaniels' creation is a bonus. at 7:34
  • Hayes's conditional view: if McDaniels' offense is legit, which was a question after last year, he'll be one of the better two-way players in the league. at 7:30

  “Timberwolves SCARY Backcourt & Warriors Disastrous Start” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves host · Report · Oct 21

  Jaden McDaniels: 17 points on 8 of 11 shooting (1 of 3 from three), 8 rebounds, 3 steals, +25. Host's third stud; he says McDaniels was great and is getting overlooked.

  “Anthony Edwards DROPS 45 POINTS As Minnesota Timberwolves CRUSH Heat In LaMelo Ball's Debut” at 27:20 · listen ↗

• Podcast Jack Borman, Locked On Wolves · Analysis · Oct 21

  Borman credits Jaden McDaniels and Gobert with disrupting Giannis's timing in the half court, which fed early offense. He says the Wolves showed Giannis a crowd and made it hard for him to make plays.

  “WOLVES POSTCAST: Anthony Edwards and Timberwolves ROUT Miami Heat—45-Point NIGHT SIGNALS Big SEASON” at 9:44 · listen ↗

• Podcast All The Smoke · 2 points · Oct 21
  • Jaden McDaniels is playing stretch four for Minnesota, which the speaker likes because he can guard bigger players. at 56:58
  • Opinion: Kuminga is at his best at the four alongside LaMelo, McDaniels and Gobert. The speaker calls this a big year for him and says his issues are 'between his ears'. at 57:21

  “Jalen Hurts Deserved BETTER Than This” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 2 points · Oct 21
  • Host says the Wolves won't reach Boston-level volume because Ant loves the mid-range and Jaden loves getting into the paint. at 15:08
  • Host expects a fair amount of small ball with Lyles at the five and Jonathan Kuminga, McDaniels or Terrence Shannon Jr at the four. at 20:35

  “HOW MANY WINS Will The Minnesota Timberwolves Have? | Predicting The Wolves' Bench + West Finish” · listen ↗

• Podcast Gil's Arena host · Prediction · Oct 20 around the league partly checked episode

  The moderator predicted a big year for Jaden McDaniels with the Timberwolves.

  “GIL'S ARENA NBA FANTASY DRAFT WITH $100K ON THE LINE ! Part 2” at 57:45 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 8 points · Oct 19
  • Ben Beecken: According to Ben, McDaniels' old final year (2028-29) was a cap hit of about $30M. The new final year (2029-30) is $40M. at 25:40
  • Ben Beecken: Ben's reading of the team's motive: the Wolves are betting that $40M four years from now will be a comfortable share of a higher salary cap. at 26:09
  • Ben Beecken: Ben calls LaMelo Ball the worst defender in the starting lineup, but a smart 6'7" one. He says point-of-attack duty should mostly fall to McDaniels, Kuminga and Edwards, with Ball hidden off the ball. at 6:18
  • Ben Beecken: Ben names rebounding as the main concern and the counterargument to his defensive optimism. He says McDaniels will inevitably play more minutes at the four. at 6:03
  • Ben Beecken: Ben's stats for McDaniels last year: 41% from three after about 33% the two years before, 15 points per game, and nearly 84% at the line with a career-high free-throw rate. at 15:39
  • Ben Beecken: Ben predicts McDaniels takes more catch-and-shoot threes, perhaps about four a game at roughly 38%. He thinks Randle's and Reid's departures open up offensive opportunities for McDaniels. at 17:50
  • Ben Beecken: Bold prediction: the Wolves could have three All-Stars. Ben thinks two is the likely number: Edwards plus one of McDaniels or LaMelo Ball. at 18:50
  • Ben Beecken: Ben disagrees with the defensive half of the ESPN prediction: he does not think this is the weakest defensive group around Gobert and McDaniels. He agrees the best-offense part is probably true. at 31:47

  “Minnesota Timberwolves Predictions: LaMelo Ball's Impact On The Starters + How Good The Offense & Defense Will” · listen ↗

• Podcast Hardwood Knocks · 2 points · Oct 19
  • Dan Favale: Dan expects spacing-heavy Wolves lineups, with McDaniels probably the de facto four when Kuminga sits. at 33:10
  • Dan's guess is a Wolves closing group with four locks (LaMelo, Gobert, Edwards, McDaniels). He thinks Kuminga came to Minnesota believing he could start and maybe close, and asks whether Kuminga will still be starting a few months from now. at 35:25

  “1 Big Question For Every NBA Teams In The Western Conference” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA host · Analysis · Oct 19 name not confirmed around the league

  Co-host: the deal averages $27.8M a year, in line with Devin Vassell, Trey Murphy, Draymond Green and Jaden McDaniels.

  “LOCKED IN: Oklahoma City Thunder Secure Cason Wallace Extension! | Who Will WIN Title?!” at 4:00 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 2 points · Oct 18
  • Sam Amick (quoted): The host reads from Sam Amick (The Athletic), who describes Edwards, Ball, McDaniels, Jonathan Kuminga and Gobert as forming one of the most intriguing starting fives. at 29:14
  • Host analysis: next to Edwards, Ball will get catch-and-shoot looks off the ball and assists on the ball. When defenses load up on him he can pass to Edwards and McDaniels or throw lobs to Gobert. at 31:30

  “Minnesota Timberwolves' ROSTER MOVES Open A Two-Way Spot | How Will Wolves Fill The Roster?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 3 points · Oct 16
  • The host thinks Jaden McDaniels will be the main beneficiary of Ball and Edwards, with Gobert maybe next. In his view this will hold back Kuminga's counting stats. at 11:33
  • The host says Jonathan Kuminga will not be the clear third option, with McDaniels in the mix and Gobert also getting plenty of opportunities. at 12:10
  • NBA GM survey (reported): Best perimeter defender: Jaden McDaniels got two votes and tied for fifth with Stephon Castle. at 26:38

  “Minnesota Timberwolves SURPRISE In NBA GM Survey: How High Did GMs Rank The Wolves? | Ant for MVP?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 2 points · Oct 15
  • Host's offensive hierarchy: Edwards ('Ant') is option one, and some combination of Ball and McDaniels is option two. at 14:54
  • McDaniels had 12 points on six shots, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block in 23 minutes, with 4 turnovers and 7 free-throw attempts. Host thought he played well on both ends. at 25:07

  “Minnesota Timberwolves' Offense Starts Fast But Defense Falters In Dress Rehearsal vs. Pistons” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 2 points · Oct 14
  • Ben Beecken: The host lists the five starters as LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Jonathan Kuminga and Rudy Gobert. at 3:03
  • Ben Beecken: The host would be a little surprised if any of the three extensions (McDaniels, Edwards, Ball) got done in the next five days. at 29:16

  “Minnesota Timberwolves Roster Preview: Deep Bench Questions | Can Cody Williams Level Up?” · listen ↗

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