The Official Jaden McDaniels Thread

[life_saver]

Found this on twitter

Read on Twitter

[shrink]

That was awesome lifesaver! And he shot 40% 3P as well!

I am so posting the link to this on the Trade Board, the next time Texas Chuck teases us for being so excited for the guy!

[Klomp]

Wonder when we will get an update on contract negotiations with Jaden

They can't happen until July

[minimus]

The more I am thinking about MCD the more I believe he is a corner piece of our team just like Edwards. Let me explain. We all know that MCD has a very rare combination of rim protecting skills AND PoA defense. Plus he is improving as offensive player. This means that ANY improvement in defense at PG or PF position might bring next big improvement for team. This effect was partially on display when Conley and Anderson played together at the end of the season. Let's say we get a PF who can both defend and hit open threes. For instance, Taylor Hendricks, Jarace Walker. It will absolutely boost our defense and offense. Or let's say we get Caruso, DDV, Bruce Brown defender at PG. In this case MCD might have more freedom to operate as freelancer in defense and save some energy for offense.

The good news is that we already have such young players who can be developed into two-way players: Minott, Moore and NAW in theory can cover all wing and backcourt positions.

The bad news: they all have not shown consistency as 3pt shooters.

I wish we had multiple plug-and-play guys like DEN:

- Gordon and his backup Jeff Green

- KCP-Brown-Brown trio

Unfortunately, Towns at PF is not a plug-and-play option, neither is Gobert at C. They both are very unique players, with limitations in offense and defense. That's why I think that any Towns trade should bring potential two-way players, who can unlock MCD and Edwards. There a few ways to make this team better even without Towns talent:

- get a good shooter to help team offense
- get a good decision maker to limit turnovers
- get PoA defender
- get versatile big wing at PF

I see the presence of Anderson and Conley as BIG advantage if we get young players at PF and PG positions. It might help immensely to make learning curve easier, more natural for newcomers. Meanwhile I think Edwards and MCD can continue to be dedicated defenders, I hope that next season they will share this load with other guys to make it our defensive identity. Just imagine MIN players playing with hustle and effort of playoff MIA. I think many this season losses to a bad team showed how disintegrated our team defense was despite so much size and talent. I would to bring here more high energy, high effort guys, but at the same time I would give time to learn from Conley and Anderson.

[shrink]

Nice article on Jaden.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/06/extension-candidate-jaden-mcdaniels.html

McDaniels’ floor in an extension is probably four years, $90MM. That’s what Mikal Bridges got a few years ago and what De’Andre Hunter received before last season started. I thought Hunter got overpaid based on his past results and injury problems, and I would take McDaniels over him in a trade without hesitation.

It’s actually challenging to find a player who compares to McDaniels because he’s only 22, is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league at 6’9”, is a plus athlete, and has an interesting blend of offensive skills. He can’t create his own shot like the former No. 1 overall pick can, but I can see a little bit of Andrew Wiggins in his game. People thought Wiggins was underpaid when he got a four-year, $109MM extension last year.

Something in the middle of those two figures sounds about right to me for McDaniels. If he gets a four-year deal, I think he’s probably in line for around $100MM. The new CBA allows for five-year, non-max rookie scale extensions, and if he wants the extra year of security, I could see him getting about $125MM. $25MM annually is a lot for a role player, but he has a chance to be a special one and was already very good last season.

[Note30]

Nice article on Jaden.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/06/extension-candidate-jaden-mcdaniels.html

McDaniels’ floor in an extension is probably four years, $90MM. That’s what Mikal Bridges got a few years ago and what De’Andre Hunter received before last season started. I thought Hunter got overpaid based on his past results and injury problems, and I would take McDaniels over him in a trade without hesitation.

It’s actually challenging to find a player who compares to McDaniels because he’s only 22, is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league at 6’9”, is a plus athlete, and has an interesting blend of offensive skills. He can’t create his own shot like the former No. 1 overall pick can, but I can see a little bit of Andrew Wiggins in his game. People thought Wiggins was underpaid when he got a four-year, $109MM extension last year.

Something in the middle of those two figures sounds about right to me for McDaniels. If he gets a four-year deal, I think he’s probably in line for around $100MM. The new CBA allows for five-year, non-max rookie scale extensions, and if he wants the extra year of security, I could see him getting about $125MM. $25MM annually is a lot for a role player, but he has a chance to be a special one and was already very good last season.

Ironic that his comparison is Wiggins

[Klomp]

The comp is Brandon Ingram imo

[Krapinsky]

Hard for me to understand why the gap between Naw and McDaniels is $20M/year. I think he’s a very important piece but I’d think $25M/year is a massive overpay.

[Krapinsky]

Nice article on Jaden.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/06/extension-candidate-jaden-mcdaniels.html

McDaniels’ floor in an extension is probably four years, $90MM. That’s what Mikal Bridges got a few years ago and what De’Andre Hunter received before last season started. I thought Hunter got overpaid based on his past results and injury problems, and I would take McDaniels over him in a trade without hesitation.

It’s actually challenging to find a player who compares to McDaniels because he’s only 22, is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league at 6’9”, is a plus athlete, and has an interesting blend of offensive skills. He can’t create his own shot like the former No. 1 overall pick can, but I can see a little bit of Andrew Wiggins in his game. People thought Wiggins was underpaid when he got a four-year, $109MM extension last year.

Something in the middle of those two figures sounds about right to me for McDaniels. If he gets a four-year deal, I think he’s probably in line for around $100MM. The new CBA allows for five-year, non-max rookie scale extensions, and if he wants the extra year of security, I could see him getting about $125MM. $25MM annually is a lot for a role player, but he has a chance to be a special one and was already very good last season.

Ironic that his comparison is Wiggins

I don’t see that at all. Maybe his role asked of him here is similar to Wiggins’ role in GSW now, but they couldn’t have been more opposite players based on what they have shown through the age 22 season.

Brandon Ingram is one of the better ISO wings in the game. That’s certainly not McDaniels either.

In my mind he’s more like Bruce Bowen or Shane Battier.

[minimus]

Hard for me to understand why the gap between Naw and McDaniels is $20M/year. I think he’s a very important piece but I’d think $25M/year is a massive overpay.

Yeah, it is gamble at some degree, but:

NAW career 39% FG, 34% 3PT in four seasons, not much room to improve in offense
MCD career 48% FG, 36% 3PT in three seasons, a lot of room to improve in offense

[Krapinsky]

Hard for me to understand why the gap between Naw and McDaniels is $20M/year. I think he’s a very important piece but I’d think $25M/year is a massive overpay.

Yeah, it is gamble at some degree, but:

NAW career 39% FG, 34% 3PT in four seasons, not much room to improve in offense
MCD career 48% FG, 36% 3PT in three seasons, a lot of room to improve in offense

I don’t know if that’s an apt comparison. What are their catch and shoot numbers? NAW has had to settle into a more low volume roll though a heavy sampling of humble pie. Jaden has been groomed as a role player taking high efficiency shots from day one. I think NAW in similar role would put up similar numbers.

[minimus]

Hard for me to understand why the gap between Naw and McDaniels is $20M/year. I think he’s a very important piece but I’d think $25M/year is a massive overpay.

Yeah, it is gamble at some degree, but:

NAW career 39% FG, 34% 3PT in four seasons, not much room to improve in offense
MCD career 48% FG, 36% 3PT in three seasons, a lot of room to improve in offense

I don’t know if that’s an apt comparison. What are their catch and shoot numbers? NAW has had to settle into a more low volume roll though a heavy sampling of humble pie. Jaden has been groomed as a role player taking high efficiency shots from day one. I think NAW in similar role would put up similar numbers.

MCD is already WAY better at mid range and finishing at rim. I agree that NAW can be more efficient if he limits his pull up shots, but this will make him stricktly a 3&D, which is exactly his role and 4-6 mil sounds reasonble. At this point he is pretty much finished product, maybe he can grow in Josh Hart type of comboguard (full MLE)

[Mattya]

If we can get McDaniels on Mikal Bridges contract we did really well. More efficient at a younger age, just as good if not more impactful defensively than current Mikal Bridges. About the only thing he hasn’t shown is high volume scoring load(which bridges didn’t show until he got to Brooklyn) or the slightly better passing.

[Colbinii]

Not sure we are comparing Jaden to NAW. Jaden is much larger, is much more polished offensively and has a much better touch with the basketball.

[urinesane]

I like both NAW and McD a lot, but it's a weird comparison. If this team has success and McDaniels continues to improve he has All-Star and Defensive First team (every year) type potential. NAW is a great fit with the Wolves, but his ceiling is a heck of a lot lower than McD.

[BlacJacMac]

The comp is Brandon Ingram imo

Physically, sure.

But they're kind of opposite in their games.

(Although I like McDaniels offense more than Ingram's defense).

[Klomp]

The comp is Brandon Ingram imo

Physically, sure.

But they're kind of opposite in their games.

(Although I like McDaniels offense more than Ingram's defense).

Three years in, Ingram wasn’t the offensive force he is today. I think McDaniels has that upside to his game as well.

[KGdaBom]

The comp is Brandon Ingram imo

Physically, sure.

But they're kind of opposite in their games.

(Although I like McDaniels offense more than Ingram's defense).

Three years in, Ingram wasn’t the offensive force he is today. I think McDaniels has that upside to his game as well.

If McDaniels can be as good as you think the Wolves keep it together and NBA titles are in our future.

[Klomp]

LeBron's PPG in the last two seasons vs every NBA team:

38.5 — Hornets
37.5 — Wizards
36.0 — Nets
35.5 — Thunder
34.7 — Hawks
34.4 — Blazers
33.0 — Raptors
32.5 — Kings
32.0 — Warriors
31.8 — Celtics
30.0 — Heat
29.6 — Jazz
29.5 — Pelicans
29.0 — Spurs
29.0 — 76ers
29.0 — Magic
29.0 — Pacers
28.5 — Knicks
28.4 — Clippers
28.0 — Cavaliers
27.7 — Rockets
27.6 — Mavericks
27.5 — Bucks
26.8 — Grizzlies
26.5 — Suns
26.0 — Pistons
25.0 — Nuggets
25.0 — Bulls
21.8 — Timberwolves

[Mattya]

Jaden will never be Ingram offensively. He doesn’t have close to the footwork, handle or passing ability. That’s doesn’t mean he can’t be a one of the top options on the team tho.