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Charlie Walton: Jaden McDaniels had 7 assists tonight, tying his career high. He did so many things well. Also scored a season-high 23 points, his most since Game 6 against Denver. 23 points 7 assists 6 rebounds 11-15 FGs +22 in 33 minutes
Jon Krawczynski: Jaden McDaniels on his extension: "I just love the place I'm at. Love Minnesota, love the fans, the atmosphere, just everything. Just being here for seven years already, it's just a no-brainer adding another year. "
Jonathan Kuminga says he has never seen Ball have a bad day. Jaden McDaniels says he can never take his eye off Ball when his point guard has the ball in his hands. Coach Chris Finch says Ball’s infectious energy makes it impossible to stay mad at him. Ball’s early days in Minnesota have gone about as well as anyone could have hoped. The 25-year-old has quickly adapted to his new team, new city and new gym. But this is hardly a new experience for him. “With being a new guy, I feel like I’m good with it, for real,” Ball said. “You know some people, it’s hard to kind of break in or get involved and all that type of stuff. But wherever I go, I just be myself, feel like me, so it’s kind of easy.”
Jaden McDaniels' salary rises 53% in 2029-30: The Timberwolves have him at $40 million, up from $26.2 million now. He'd pass $100 million in career earnings in 2027-28, more than Latrell Sprewell made in his whole career.
The motivation for McDaniels was both simple and complex. At the root of it all, sources said, was his desire to remain in Minnesota for the rest of his career, if possible. McDaniels was drafted 28th in 2020, and the Wolves have helped him develop into a top-flight defensive wing who has improved offensively every year. He averaged 14.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and shot 41 percent from 3-point range last season, winning over the Timberwolves fanbase with his consistent improvement over the last seven years and his cold, emotionless demeanor.
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Bill Duffy of WME Basketball is involved with representing both players (McDaniels is also represented by Nima Namakian of Innovate Sports), so getting this deal done certainly can’t hurt things when it is time to open up extension talks for Edwards next summer. The two sides negotiated the deal for weeks, sources said. New Timberwolves owners Marc and Elisa Stad, co-owner Alex Rodriguez and president of basketball operations Tim Connelly all emphasized to McDaniels just how much they wanted him in Minnesota. They believe McDaniels can make another leap in his development, and he has looked sharp so far in the preseason.
Michael Scotto: Jaden McDaniels becomes the first player in NBA history to secure an extension with three fully guaranteed seasons remaining on a non-max contract. The deal was negotiated by Nima Namakian of Innovate Sports and Bill Duffy of WME Basketball.
Eric Pincus: The Timberwolves get a slight discount under the 140% max allowed - about $1.7M; McDaniels locks in that early security, but also gets into that next extension range when he's a 10 YOS player. McDaniels' role should grow w/MIN post-Randle/Naz. Like it for both, but esp. Jaden
Shams Charania: Minnesota Timberwolves All-Defense forward Jaden McDaniels has agreed to a one-year, $40 million extension that will keep him under contract through the 2029-30 season, agents Nima Namakian of Innovate Sports and Bill Duffy of WME Basketball tell ESPN.
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Shams Charania: McDaniels strategically secures an additional $40 million guaranteed for an additional season while protecting his upside and creating the flexibility to negotiate another extension as early as 2028 at a starting salary of up to 140% of the new higher $40M salary -- or enter free agency in 2030 with 10 years of NBA service. McDaniels now has total of four years and $124M on his Wolves deal.
Dane Moore: LaMelo Ball on Jaden McDaniels "Love Jaden. I mean, 6'10", can move, long, play defense, cut backdoor, shoot the 3. I mean, really anything you need. Damn near a 2k player."
Alan Horton: Edwards, Ball, McDaniels, Kuminga, Gobert, Dosunmu, Hyland & Lyles will not play tonight & did not make the trip to Chicago. Chris Finch before the game... "This game is extremely intentional. We treat it almost like a baseball split-squad game. Half the roster stayed back home & practiced today & we get these guys here who get a chance to play extended minutes."
NBABase: Julius Randle was "one of the culprits" behind Minnesota’s moody locker room last season, per @JonKrawczynski “Everyone immediately looks at Julius Randle and he is certainly one of the culprits... They could be every once in a while... Julius certainly was a part of that when his name got brought up in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks. He didn't really like that at all and he wears his heart on his sleeve, so you could see that.” “But Naz Reid could get moody, Jaden McDaniels could get moody. Like, there's a lot of quiet, brooding personalities that were in the locker room last year. You bring LaMelo Ball in here and he's much more upbeat and energetic, so there's definitely been a vibe shift.” (Via @bballilluminati)
