Jaden McDaniels

Ananth Pandian

Jaden McDaniels is becoming such a lockdown pest on defense that opposing players are telling him to chill.&nbsp;

In an interview with Stadium’s Shams Charania, McDaniels talked about his elite defensive skills, getting respect from players around the league and why he should be on the NBA All-Defensive Team this season.&nbsp;

Here’s a breakdown of McDaniels’ interview with Charania:&nbsp;

On being called the best perimeter defender in the league:&nbsp;

"It makes me feel good and I do believe it. From those guys being in the league so long, me having respect for them and what they've done to the game, that's just a plus to the work that I've put in over the three years I've been in the NBA. Just being able to watch them guys as I was younger, for them to say those things is kind of eye-opening. It's made me feel good about myself."&nbsp;

“I kinda go into it just making it difficult for them. I know they’re gonna make shots. Everyone’s good. They’re NBA players. So just trying to make it as tough as possible. For me, one thing defensively, I gotta always contest the shots. Just me coming in with that competitive mindset and trying to make it tough for them that night.”&nbsp;

“I feel like I did a great job on Jamal Murray. During a game, I had blocked like 3 or 4 of his jumpers and he gave me a comment, ‘Bro you gotta stop blocking my jumpers.’ Either him or the first time we played Memphis against Ja [Morant]. I think I did a great job with the scout and just making it hard for him.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

On players like Paul George praising his defense:&nbsp;

"It's just them starting to be on notice. I've guarded them or played them so many times, they finally know now. I feel like it's a respect thing."&nbsp;

On possibility of making an All-Defensive Team:&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I feel like I should be on there, and if I’m not...I don’t know who does the votes, they must be crazy.”&nbsp;

On his goals at the start of season:&nbsp;

“We were making goals before training camp. Be Defensive Player of the Year or make first or second team All-Defensive. I feel like I’m doing good at what I said, keeping my word.”&nbsp;

“For team wise, making it to the playoffs and getting further than we did last year. The playoff atmosphere is something I don’t want to miss. I want to keep that streak alive.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“For myself, for years to come, get in the All-Star game, being in Most Improved Player [conversation] and continuing to rack up defensive awards.”&nbsp;

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Nuggets' Jamal Murray to Jaden McDaniels: 'Stop blocking my jumpers'

Inscrutably stoic, Jaden McDaniels lets his game do the talking. And while his game isn't loud or brash, McDaniels is making a name for himself around the league because of his two-way play.

On a recent episode of his podcast, Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Paul George called the 22-year-old McDaniels one of the most underrated players 25-and-under in the NBA.

“One of the guys that are ultra talented, that isn’t probably on everybody’s radar, is Jaden McDaniels in Minnesota," George said. "He got game. Great defender, good feet, quick hands.”

Often viewed as a top tier two-way player, George's praise of McDaniels carries a lot of weight. It's an opposing superstar player recognizing how impactful McDaniels is for the Wolves.

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Paul George on Jaden McDaniels: 1 of most underrated players in NBA

Reserved and expressionless, Jaden McDaniels never seems too high or too low. But don't be fooled by McDaniels' nonchalant demeanor, he knows how to have fun.

Of course for McDaniels, fun means defensively locking up an opponent's best scorer.

McDaniels has emerged as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league this season and his elite defensive prowess has been a source of joy for Wolves fans. So much so that many have tried to give McDaniels a nickname that will appropriately fit his lockdown defensive play.  None however, have actually stuck.

Taking the matter into his own hands, Bally Sports North's Michael Grady crowdsourced nicknames for McDaniels on Twitter during Minnesota's 110-102 victory over the Lakers on Friday.

Grady received numerous suggestions, here's just a small sample of them:

After wading through all the suggestions, Grady had the perfect solution:

Keep an eye on Grady's Twitter feed to find out what McDaniels himself thinks his nickname should be.

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Jaden McDaniels' nickname: Reactions, suggestions from Wolves Twitter

mincsharrett

Versatility is an asset every NBA team desires. With the 28th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves picked up versatile big Jaden McDaniels from the University of Washington. 

The Los Angeles Lakers made the pick for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who acquired the selection in the Dennis Schroeder-Danny Green trade. The Thunder then swapped the pick with the Wolves in the deal to bring Ricky Rubio back to Minnesota. 

A 6-9 forward from Federal Way, Wash., McDaniels boasts a 7-foot wingspan and put up averages of 13 points and 5.8 rebounds per game on 33.9% shooting from three-point range in his freshman season with the Huskies. McDaniels has the ability to both defend the paint while also capably guarding wings on the perimeter. 

"I think I fit pretty well," McDaniels said of the possibility of playing next to Karl-Anthony Towns. "Being versatile, I feel like I could play one through four at any time. Kind of like I said earlier, just taking pieces off his game and little tips, even how to guard bigger dudes in the post, and just learn on the pick-and-rolls and stuff."

McDaniels is also an adept ballhandler for his size. The Timberwolves draftee believes he can be a complementary piece in the Wolves system with D'Angelo Russell and No. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards.

"I feel like being a versatile player, being able to handle the ball and stuff, I feel like such different situations -- like I could sometimes be the creator for them or even in opposite ways," said McDaniels. 

Spending his entire life in the Pacific Northwest, McDaniels is excited to begin a new journey in the Twin Cities... Even if it means shoveling a little snow. 

"It's super cold; I'm used to the cold from Seattle," McDaniels told media. "They say it's a lot of snow. But I'm kind of excited, just new place, new culture.

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Wolves Gain Versatility With Jaden McDaniels

mintimberwolvespr

Minneapolis-St. Paul – Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas today announced the team has acquired guard Ricky Rubio and the draft rights to Jaden McDaniels (28th overall) from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for forward James Johnson and the draft rights to Aleksej Pokuševski (17th overall) and Minnesota’s 2024 Second Round Pick. The Timberwolves are also acquiring the draft rights to Leandro Bolmaro (23rd overall) from the New York Knicks in exchange for the draft rights to Mathias Lessort (50th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft) and the Detroit Pistons’ 2023 Second Round Pick.

“Ricky is a great fit to what we are building here in Minneapolis and we are thrilled to welcome him back to the Timberwolves organization,” said Rosas. “He will be a solid addition to our core in All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns, All-Star guard D’Angelo Russell and First Overall Pick Anthony Edwards. Ricky is an elite ball handler and someone who will boost our defense and bring a veteran presence to our team.”

Originally drafted by the Timberwolves with the fifth overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, Rubio played in 353 games over six seasons with Minnesota averaging 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game. He ranks among the top-10 in numerous franchise records including ranking second in total assists (2991), second in total steals (747) and 10th in games played (353). Rubio holds the record for the most assists in a single game in Timberwolves history after dishing out 19 dimes against the Washington Wizards on Mar. 13, 2017. The 6-3 guard played in 65 games for the Phoenix Suns last season, averaging 13.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, his most since averaging 5.7 rebounds in 2014-15, and 8.8 assists in 31.0 minutes per game.

“Ricky is a needed piece when it comes to being a culture builder, a team-first player and the impact he has on and off the court,” said Timberwolves Head Coach Ryan Saunders. "I’m thrilled to welcome him back to Minneapolis."

The El Masnou, Spain native began his national team career on Spain’s Under-16 team in 2005, winning a bronze medal at the 2005 FIBA Europe U16 Championships. Rubio was named MVP of the 2006 FIBA Europe U16 Championships after leading Spain to the gold medal where he averaged 22.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 6.5 steals per game during the tournament, including two triple-doubles and a quadruple-double (posted 51 points, 24 rebounds, 12 assists and 7 steals in the championship game against Russia). Rubio was named to the Spanish team for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, where at age 17 he became the youngest ever to participate in the gold-medal game.

Bolmaro, a 6-6 forward, played his first season with FC Barcelona’s primary team for the 2019-20 season. He appeared in 13 games (two starts) across the club’s ACB and EuroLeague schedule. The Las Varillas, Argentina native averaged 4.4 points and 0.9 steals in 12.9 minutes in seven games in Spain’s top pro league. Bolmaro joined FC Barcelona’s “B” team for the second consecutive season and averaged 14.6 points, 3.6 assists and 1.8 steals in 26.8 minutes in nine games in Spain’s third division, LEB Silver. The 20-year-old joined FC Barcelona’s “B” team in 2018-19, averaging 10.4 points in 33 games in Spain’s second division, LEB Gold.

McDaniels, a 6-9 forward joins the Timberwolves after spending one season at the University of Washington where he averaged 13.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 blocks. He was the only player in any of the major conferences to average at least 1.4 blocks and 1.4 three-pointers made per game in 2019-20. The Federal Way, Washington native is the younger brother of Charlotte Hornets forward Jalen McDaniels.

Johnson was originally acquired by the Wolves in a three-team deal from the Miami Heat on Feb. 6, averaged 12.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in 14 games with Minnesota.

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Minnesota Timberwolves Acquire Ricky Rubio And Draft Rights To Jaden McDaniels From Oklahoma City And Draft Rights To Leandro Bolmaro From New York

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**DISCLAIMER: The following is an aggregate of player analysis from various media outlets and does not reflect the views of the Minnesota Timberwolves.**

Jaden McDaniels is a late blooming prospect with significant talent who had some phenomenal flashes of talent as a freshman but is still learning how to impact games consistently.  His brother, Jalen McDaniels, was drafted 52nd overall by the Hornets in the 2019 NBA Draft.  Taking a significant jump forward in the summer before his senior year at Federal Way High School (WA), he finished his prep career regarded as a top-25 prospect in the high school class of 2019 while earning McDonald’s and Jordan Brand All-American honors.  Heading to play for Head Coach Mike Hopkins at Washington, McDaniels emerged as an x-factor for the Huskies averaging 13 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

ESPN/Draft Express (click to read full analysis):

Projected role: Two-way forward
– Mike Schmitz

The Ringer (click to read full analysis):

NBADraft.net (click to read full analysis):

Former highly touted HS recruit is a modern day, face-up frontcourt player with a budding perimeter skill set … A long-striding athlete with good body control, footwork and the ability to run the floor and cover ground well … Physically fits the bill of the “positionless” NBA standard as he’s around 6’10 with great length (7-foot wingspan) and “skill potential” … Likes to pull up off the dribble from 15-20 ft, and shows glimpses of the ability to make perimeter jump shots from 3 point range too … Has a quick and high shot release that could become a consistent weapon with more repetition in the practice gym … Plays with finesse, and occasionally makes tough plays look very easy and effortless on the court at both ends … Adequate rebounder, did alright on the glass for a guy that often played at the top of a primarily zone defense in college … There’s no doubt teams will like that his physical skills allow him to potentially defend multiple positions on the court effectively, though this is something that would be a work in progress … Pretty decent timing as a weakside shot-blocker, put up 1.4 bpg as a Fr … A classic boom-or-bust type prospect, but it is important to remember he will only be 20 years old as a rookie with plenty of time to grow physically and polish his skill set … Shot a decent 76% from the FT line his Fr season, which only heightens the claims of his potential and natural ability as a shooter … Has one of the highest ceilings of any player in this year’s draft … Has intriguing scoring and shooting ability if he can improve upon his shot selection / strength …
--Jorrye Nixon

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2020 NBA Draft Profile: Jaden McDaniels

2020-nba-draft-prospect-jaden-mcdaniels

2020 NBA Draft Prospect: Jaden McDaniels

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