Jaden McDaniels has felt like a “when, not if” breakout candidate for years.
He’s a lengthy forward who could already guard anyone on the planet. The holdup was his figuring out how to consistently contribute offensively. Now, in his sixth season, that wait appears to be over.
Leap in Scoring and Efficiency
In the 2024-25 season, McDaniels averaged 12.2 points per game on 47.7% shooting and a shaky 33% from deep. That was… fine. Understandable, even, given Minnesota was still awkwardly stitching together its rotation after its blockbuster trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.
But this season, McDaniels is leveling up.
Through 14 games, he’s putting up 17.5 points per game on 55.3% shooting and a blistering 52.1% from three. Even if the shooting percentages cool a bit, the leap is real. The efficiency jump isn’t just a statistical glow-up; it’s the product of a completely different level of control and confidence.
Beyond the Numbers
The eye test is even louder than the numbers.
McDaniels is faster in his reads, more assertive in his decisions, and far less deferential when the ball swings his way. He’s attacking off the dribble with purpose, getting into the paint for long-stride layups, punchy dunks, or that smooth, high-release fadeaway that’s becoming a genuine weapon. He’s taking catch-and-shoot threes with confidence.
And maybe most importantly, he’s grown as a handler and passer—finding Rudy Gobert for lobs, dishing to shooters in the corner, and being a hub for offense instead of just another pawn. He’s averaging more assists than ever, and it tracks. The game has slowed down for him.
New Layers on Defense
Defense, of course, was always the selling point. But even there, he’s added new layers.
McDaniels has long been one of the league’s best point-of-attack pests, a wiry nightmare for star wings. This season, though, he’s become a legitimate rim deterrent and a far sharper help defender. His 1.3 blocks per game put him comfortably in the league’s top 20, and they’re not empty numbers—they’re the product of better timing, better anticipation, and a growing sense of how to use his length away from the ball rather than just on an island.
Rebounding is a Slight Concern
He’s not a finished product. The rebounding dip is a real issue, especially for a team that already struggles on the glass. McDaniels’ rebounding production has dipped more than one full board per game fewer than last season. For a franchise with championship aspirations, that’s the kind of detail that matters in May and June.
But if the Timberwolves want to plant a flag among the West’s true contenders, McDaniels is exactly the kind of player who gets them there. His offensive leap gives the Wolves another pressure point, one that makes life easier for Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle and stretches defenses in ways last year’s roster couldn’t. If he maintains this mix of efficiency and aggression—and brings the rebounding along for the ride—the Wolves aren’t just dangerous. They’re the version of dangerous fans have been forecasting for years.
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