Jaden McDaniels has looked very good for Minnesota this preseason, averaging 24.8 points in less than 21 minutes a night while shooting 60.6% from the field and an unsustainable but promising 71.4% from beyond the arc. If Minnesota is going to thrive in the Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball era, McDaniels’ two-way contributions will be key.

That is why the Timberwolves agreed to terms on a one-year, $40 million extension for the 2029-30 NBA season, a deal first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.

McDaniels is already under contract for this season and the next two at a total of $84 million. This new $40 million year will be more than a $10 million bump from the previous year, rewarding a player who will be critical to the team. He is now signed for four years and $124 million. This contract also takes McDaniels to 10 years of service, allowing him to potentially chase more money in the summer of 2030.

McDaniels is a 6'9" forward best known for his elite defense, but whose offensive game has shown real growth in recent seasons. Last season he averaged 14.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, shooting 41.2% from 3-point range. In the playoffs last season, McDaniels showed more offensive creation in his game and averaged 16.3 points per game.

The Timberwolves need McDaniels’ defense on the court, the fact that his offensive game is taking a step forward makes him that much more critical to what Minnesota wants to do.

The Timberwolves now have McDaniels locked up through 2030, and Ball and Edwards through 2029 (reserve Ayo Dosunmu also is under contract through 2030). The next big contract Minnesota needs to consider is center Rudy Gobert, who can be a free agent next summer but has a $38 million player option for the 2027-28 season.