NBA
JM
#3

Jaden McDaniels

Forward · Minnesota Timberwolves · 6'9", 185 lb · Born Sep 29, 2000 · Federal Way, Washington · Drafted 28th overall, 2020
All-Defensive (2024)Minnesota TimberwolvesElite 3-and-D wingPerimeter stopper
NBAMinnesota TimberwolvesForwards
Compare:vs Edwardsvs Dosunmuvs DiVincenzovs Randlevs Reidvs Gobert
In short

Jaden McDaniels is an elite 3-and-D wing for the Minnesota Timberwolves — one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Drafted 28th in 2020 out of Washington, the long, versatile forward made All-Defensive Second Team in 2024 and guards the opponent's best scorer nightly. He signed a five-year, $136 million extension and posted a 32-point playoff game in the 2026 first round.

Matchup model · next gameMedium confidenceFri, Nov 13
vsNew Orleans PelicansAggressive hedge & help
Proj. points
14.7
range 12–17.4
Line 15
47%
to go over
Team win
63%
114–111
Poi 14.7 Lean underReb 4.2 Lean overAss 2.7 Lean overPRA 21.6 Lean over
Likely on himHerbert Jones· 84 Perimeter DStrong defender
10+ pts94%15+ pts46%20+ pts4%

Model lines McDaniels at 14.7 pts (range 12–17.4) vs a 15 line — roughly a coin flip to clear it (47%).

Biggest edge: venue — home floor — small boost.

Full matchup breakdown · all markets →
Balladex Matchup Model — modeled from real roster ratings, scoring baselines & defender-matchup history. Schedule, availability & head-to-head samples are illustrative in this prototype; production wires live schedule, injury & player-tracking feeds. Not betting advice.
✦ Ask anything about McDaniels
The McDaniels Story — narrated
Tap play to hear his story, told as a 90-second short.
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A long, elite perimeter stopper — the 3-and-D wing who anchors Minnesota's defense.

A Federal Way, Washington kid and Washington Husky, McDaniels was drafted 28th in 2020 in a draft-night trade to Minnesota.

🏫 Washington · 28th, 2020NBA family

He became an All-Defensive wing who guards the opponent's best scorer with elite length.

🔒 All-Defensive 2ndPerimeter stopper

He signed a five-year, $136M extension as a foundational two-way piece.

💰 5 yr / $136M3-and-D

In the 2026 first round he posted a playoff career-high 32 points and 10 rebounds in a closeout of Denver.

32 & 10 · playoffs14.8 ppg · .412 3P
— end of story —
Want the full numbers? Open the breakdown →
PPG
14.8
2025-26
RPG
4.2
per game
APG
2.7
per game
FG%
.515
.412 from three
LIFE

Roots & the rise

A long, elite perimeter defender and 3-and-D forward — the stopper who anchors Minnesota's wing defense.

Jaden McDaniels was born in Federal Way, Washington, the younger brother of NBA player Jalen McDaniels and a cousin of Juwan Howard's family. A McDonald's All-American who played one season at Washington, he was drafted 28th in 2020 (via a draft-night trade) by Minnesota.

He developed into one of the league's premier 3-and-D wings — an All-Defensive Second Team selection in 2024 who guards the opponent's best scorer with his length and mobility. He signed a five-year, $136 million extension and, in the 2026 first round, posted a playoff career-high 32 points with 10 rebounds in a closeout of Denver.

Sources: Wikipedia, NBA.com, Basketball-Reference, ESPN.

BEYOND THE GAME

Beyond the game

Basketball runs in the McDaniels family: Jaden's older brother Jalen also reached the NBA, his parents hail from Chicago, and his mother is a cousin of former NBA player and coach Juwan Howard. He became a father in 2024, and has grown from a raw, foul-prone rookie into a disciplined defensive standout.

His identity is elite, versatile perimeter defense — a 6-foot-9 wing with the length to bother guards and forwards alike — paired with enough three-point shooting to stay on the floor. His fiery edge has occasionally boiled over (he once broke his hand punching a wall), but his defense is the backbone of Minnesota's identity next to Rudy Gobert's rim protection.

PERSONALITY

The person

A long, disciplined perimeter stopper — elite wing defense with reliable three-point shooting.

Elite defenderAll-Defensive Second Team (2024); guards the opponent's best scorer.
LengthA 6-foot-9 wing who bothers guards and forwards alike.
3-and-DShoots well enough from three to complement his defense.
PLAYER DNA

Archetype & ratings

Archetype
3-and-D Wing · Elite Defender
Temperament
Steady
Leadership
58/100
Scoring65
Playmaking45
Rebounding60
Perimeter D84
Rim protection45
Spacing73
Athleticism70
Clutch65
Elite perimeter D3-and-DLength
ANALYSIS

What the numbers say

The perimeter anchor

McDaniels is the point-of-attack complement to Rudy Gobert's rim protection — a long, mobile wing who erases the opponent's best perimeter scorer and lets Minnesota play elite team defense. His All-Defensive selection reflects that impact, and his three-point shooting keeps him playable on offense, the definition of a modern 3-and-D forward.

STATS

Season by season

Per game

SeasonGPMINPTSREBASTFG%3P%
2025-267331.714.84.22.7.515.412

Source: Basketball-Reference.

ADVANCED

Advanced & historical

Where he sits in history

2024NBA All-Defensive Second Team
2026Playoff career-high 32 points with 10 rebounds in a first-round closeout of Denver
FamilyBrother Jalen McDaniels also plays in the NBA

Hardware

1×
All-Defensive Second Team (2024)
OUTLOOK

Where it's headed

AI-generated · updated July 13, 2026

An elite 3-and-D wing on a long-term deal — Minnesota's perimeter defensive anchor.

On a five-year, $136 million extension, McDaniels is one of the league's best perimeter defenders — a long, versatile stopper with reliable three-point shooting. Paired with Gobert, he anchors an elite defense; growing his shot creation is the upside.

Perimeter defenseElite
Length / versatilityElite
Three-point shootingReliable
Shot creationLimited

Contract

Deal
5 yr / $136M signed 2023
Role
3-and-D wing stopper
Age
25 prime
Bottom line

One of the league's best perimeter defenders and a reliable 3-and-D wing. The stopper that, with Gobert, gives Minnesota an elite defensive identity.

FAQ

Quick answers

What is Jaden McDaniels known for?

Elite perimeter defense — an All-Defensive wing who guards the opponent's best scorer with rare length, plus reliable three-point shooting.

Is Jaden McDaniels related to another NBA player?

Yes — his older brother Jalen McDaniels also plays in the NBA.

Where did Jaden McDaniels go to college?

Washington, for one season, before Minnesota acquired him in a draft-night trade at No. 28 in 2020.