Timberwolves sign Jaden McDaniels to one-year, $40M extension
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The gist
The Timberwolves signed forward Jaden McDaniels to a one-year, $40 million extension through 2029-30.
The deal gives Minnesota cost certainty around Ball and Edwards.
Background
Jaden McDaniels is a 6-foot-9 Timberwolves small forward drafted 28th in 2020 out of Washington and named to the NBA All-Defensive second team in 2023-24. He had three seasons left on a five-year, $136 million deal signed before the 2023-24 season; the new extension raises his 2029-30 salary to $40 million from about $29.8 million in 2028-29. Minnesota finalized the deal days before opening the 2026-27 regular season, after a summer in which president of basketball operations Tim Connelly traded both power forwards to acquire guard LaMelo Ball.
How it unfolded
- Oct 14, 2026LaMelo Ball plays in a preseason game against the Detroit Pistons in Minneapolis.
- Oct 16, 2026Minnesota ends its six-game preseason 3-3 with a 133-116 loss to the Chicago Bulls; Drew Timme scores 18 points in 27 minutes.
- Oct 17, 2026The Timberwolves waive Enrique Freeman, KJ Martin, Norchad Omier, Antonio Reeves and Drew Timme.
- Oct 19, 2026LaMelo Ball, speaking after practice, praises Jaden McDaniels before the deal is done.
- Oct 20, 2026The Timberwolves and McDaniels agree to a one-year, $40 million extension through 2029-30; the team officially announces the signing.
- Oct 21, 2026Minnesota opens the 2026-27 regular season on the road against the Miami Heat, tipoff 7:30 pm ET.
Who’s saying what
- Party
- LaMelo Ball said McDaniels can "move, long, play defense, cut backdoor, shoot the 3" — "really anything you need."
- Party
- McDaniels said Ball's passing is "crazy" and that if you're not paying attention the ball "might go right past you."