Jaden McDaniels

[Monster]

Wings/Forwards on Rookie Deals:

- Atlanta Hawks: DeAndre Hunter, Cam Reddish, Kevin Huerter, Jalen Johnson

- Boston Celtics: Romeo Langford, Aaron Nesmith

- Brooklyn Nets: N/A

- Charlotte Hornets: Miles Bridges, P.J. Washington, James Bouknight, Jalen McDaniels

- Chicago Bulls: Patrick Williams, Troy Brown, Ayo Dosunmu

- Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley, Isaac Okoro, Dylan Windler

- Dallas Mavericks: Josh Green

- Denver Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr., P.J. Dozier

- Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey, Zhaire Smith

- Golden State Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Jordan Poole

- Houston Rockets: Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Kenyon Martin Jr.

- Indiana Pacers: Chris Duarte, Isaiah Jackson

- Los Angeles Clippers: Keon Johnson, Terance Mann, Brandon Boston Jr.

- Los Angeles Lakers: N/A

- Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr., Jarrett Culver, Ziaire Williams, Brandon Clarke, Desmond Bane, Xavier Tillman

- Miami Heat: Tyler Herro, KZ Okpala

- Milwaukee Bucks: Donte DiVincenzo, Jordan Nwora

- Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, Josh Okogie, Leandro Bolmaro, Jaden McDaniels, Jaylen Nowell

- New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Trey Murphy

- New York Knicks: RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox, Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes

- Oklahoma City Thunder: Josh Giddey, Aleksej Poku?evski, Darius Bazley, Lu Dort

- Orlando Magic: Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Chuma Okeke, RJ Hampton

- Philadelphia 76ers: Matisse Thybulle, Jaden Springer, Shake Milton, Isaiah Joe, Paul Reed

- Phoenix Suns: Mikal Bridges, Jalen Smith, Cameron Johnson, Landry Shamet

- Portland Trail Blazers: Anfernee Simons, Nassir Little

- Sacramento Kings: Davion Mitchell, Tyrese Haliburton, Jahmi'us Ramsey, Robert Woodard

- San Antonio Spurs: Lonnie Walker, Devin Vassell, Josh Primo, Keldon Johnson

- Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes, Precious Achiuwa

- Utah Jazz: Jared Butler

- Washington Wizards: Rui Hachimura, Deni Avdija, Corey Kispert

What's the overall point here in putting this together? There's a bunch of very talented, high-ceiling wings/forwards throughout the league. They vary in quality, of course, but they are abundant. McDaniels is special to Wolves fans, but that's about it. Anywhere else and he'd be another young piece that needs seasoning. In Minnesota he's a rising star and has a Hall of Fame ceiling. Like I've said all along, we should pump the brakes on him.

I get your point but this list includes a guy like Culver who IMHO isn't a significant prospect. Also Zhaire Smith hasn't played basketball in a year, was waived last season and is a current FA.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I get your point but this list includes a guy like Culver who IMHO isn't a significant prospect. Also Zhaire Smith hasn't played basketball in a year, was waived last season and is a current FA.

Good catch on Smith. I was looking at team payrolls and copying names over. The point remains the same, though. Is Jaden McDaniels a better player -- a better prospect -- than other names on that list? Absolutely, but let's not act like next year there won't be 10-15 more names added to it. And then 10-15 more the year after that. McDaniels is a rare find for the Timberwolves, but teams throughout the league find intriguing wings just about every year. If he's indeed moved in a trade for Ben Simmons, we shouldn't be heartbroken about it.

Furthermore, we should have confidence in Gersson Rosas to pluck another gem in the future. For all we know, Leandro Bolmaro could be that guy. I'm not saying he is, but have some trust in the executive that landed McDaniels in the first place. I think he's earned that thus far, and that's coming from someone that trashed him vigorously in previous years.

[Monster]

I get your point but this list includes a guy like Culver who IMHO isn't a significant prospect. Also Zhaire Smith hasn't played basketball in a year, was waived last season and is a current FA.

Good catch on Smith. I was looking at team payrolls and copying names over. The point remains the same, though. Is Jaden McDaniels a better player -- a better prospect -- than other names on that list? Absolutely, but let's not act like next year there won't be 10-15 more names added to it. And then 10-15 more the year after that. McDaniels is a rare find for the Timberwolves, but teams throughout the league find intriguing wings just about every year. If he's indeed moved in a trade for Ben Simmons, we shouldn't be heartbroken about it.

Furthermore, we should have confidence in Gersson Rosas to pluck another gem in the future. For all we know, Leandro Bolmaro could be that guy. I'm not saying he is, but have some trust in the executive that landed McDaniels in the first place. I think he's earned that thus far, and that's coming from someone that trashed him vigorously in previous years.

That's fair and I agree that Rosas deserves some credit and even benefit of the doubt when it comes to finding worthwhile players. It's almost like we might be a competent NBA franchise!

I think it's also ok to be heartbroken (for McDaniels I think that would be too strong of a term) over some players being traded even if it even makes sense to do the deal. I think some of the way McDaniels played last year is pretty easy to appreciate and regardless of his age and potential there haven't been many wolves guys that have been able to seemingly fill a role like he did last season. It seems easy to find good role players but the reality is that even if that's what he is that's not easy to find.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Great thread on McDaniels.

I do think we've been too high on him as a board this past year. This is a common phenomenon, getting overly optimistic about a young guy drafted outside the early lottery who shows some talent early on, because we like to imagine guys like that will reach their potential, and do so relatively quickly . Of course, the reality is that a lot of times guys like this don't look quite as good in year 3 or 4 compared to what we had hoped they'd be at that point, and then I think there's a trend to undervalue guys at that point.

I do like Jaden a lot going forward even though I don't actually think he's going to develop into a particularly skilled offensive player, at least not with the ball in his hands. It's probably because I think even in a limited role--a long defender who can hit 3s--he fits a need almost every team has. It's a Robert Covington-type of role, I guess. Not a star or a guy you want initiating things, but the kind of guy you can easily plug in next to those guys to play off them. It's obviously more important to get stars, but you also need guys like that, as I know Q has emphasized. At least through his rookie contract, that's going to be a good value, and as long as he doesn't get overpaid on his next contract, which typically doesn't happen for guys like that, that's a tradeable asset as well. Either way, if he's a solid-to-good role player for us, or a trade asset, that's a good value to have picked up late in the first round. And right now, that looks like a pretty decent bet to happen.

Side note: I think we may need to have a bit of an honest conversation with ourselves about Edwards too, because there are still question marks there, despite the extremely high offensive promise. I don't want to rehash old arguments, and I really love the kid and think there's a decent chance he could be really great, but I also get the sense that our excitement for him at this stage might be overpowering what we honestly know are some flaws that are still there in his game that he'll need to fix, otherwise people will definitely be calling him overrated in a couple years.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

We have literally managed to find one effective 3 & D player in the last decade and that's the brief tenure of Robert Covington. That's it! So when a prospect comes along that might actually be able to defend multiple positions and hit open 3s, it's like discovering a rare diamond for this franchise. Given our track record, I have a hard time believing that this type of role is easily replaced, even if the current incumbent is still far from a finished product.

[KiwiMatt]

I think Jaden will develop the same way Jonathan Isaac has with the Magic. Comparable physical traits and abilities.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I think Jaden will develop the same way Jonathan Isaac has with the Magic. Comparable physical traits and abilities.

Yeah, I've made this comparison before. I usually also lump in Jerami Grant and Robert Covington for good measure. But the difference with Jonathan Isaac is that while he has comparable length to Jaden McDaniels he was also 20-pounds heavier coming into the NBA. If the plan for McDaniels is to become a four then he'll need to get a lot bigger and stronger. I'd prefer to see him play the three, and even then he should add some weight.

[Coolbreeze44]

His height is an interesting topic. I remember watching the summer league and thinking to myself he was noticeably taller. Now they are saying he's taller than KAT? I think thats very good news, but wouldn't that make him a 7 footer? I don't think he's that tall (yet). The bad news is it can be very difficult to maintain any type of groove with your jump shot when you are going through that type of growth spurt. You have to be shooting a tremendous amount to keep up. And if he's really as tall as reported, does it matter how well he can initiate offense or play point forward? I mean he's not Kevin Durant or Ben Simmons yet, and I will take his elite length and make a helluva player out of him. Like I said during summer league, no one wanted to be the guy he guarded. FNG mentions he didn't make all summer league. That is true but he showed definite improvement on offense and I read in at least one article he was the best player in Vegas. I guess what I'm saying is don't take the fact he didn't make the all league team too seriously. He was very good.

[Porckchop]

Wings/Forwards on Rookie Deals:

- Atlanta Hawks: DeAndre Hunter, Cam Reddish, Kevin Huerter, Jalen Johnson

- Boston Celtics: Romeo Langford, Aaron Nesmith

- Brooklyn Nets: N/A

- Charlotte Hornets: Miles Bridges, P.J. Washington, James Bouknight, Jalen McDaniels

- Chicago Bulls: Patrick Williams, Troy Brown, Ayo Dosunmu

- Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley, Isaac Okoro, Dylan Windler

- Dallas Mavericks: Josh Green

- Denver Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr., P.J. Dozier

- Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey, Zhaire Smith

- Golden State Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Jordan Poole

- Houston Rockets: Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Kenyon Martin Jr.

- Indiana Pacers: Chris Duarte, Isaiah Jackson

- Los Angeles Clippers: Keon Johnson, Terance Mann, Brandon Boston Jr.

- Los Angeles Lakers: N/A

- Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr., Jarrett Culver, Ziaire Williams, Brandon Clarke, Desmond Bane, Xavier Tillman

- Miami Heat: Tyler Herro, KZ Okpala

- Milwaukee Bucks: Donte DiVincenzo, Jordan Nwora

- Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, Josh Okogie, Leandro Bolmaro, Jaden McDaniels, Jaylen Nowell

- New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Trey Murphy

- New York Knicks: RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox, Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes

- Oklahoma City Thunder: Josh Giddey, Aleksej Poku?evski, Darius Bazley, Lu Dort

- Orlando Magic: Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Chuma Okeke, RJ Hampton

- Philadelphia 76ers: Matisse Thybulle, Jaden Springer, Shake Milton, Isaiah Joe, Paul Reed

- Phoenix Suns: Mikal Bridges, Jalen Smith, Cameron Johnson, Landry Shamet

- Portland Trail Blazers: Anfernee Simons, Nassir Little

- Sacramento Kings: Davion Mitchell, Tyrese Haliburton, Jahmi'us Ramsey, Robert Woodard

- San Antonio Spurs: Lonnie Walker, Devin Vassell, Josh Primo, Keldon Johnson

- Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes, Precious Achiuwa

- Utah Jazz: Jared Butler

- Washington Wizards: Rui Hachimura, Deni Avdija, Corey Kispert

What's the overall point here in putting this together? There's a bunch of very talented, high-ceiling wings/forwards throughout the league. They vary in quality, of course, but they are abundant. McDaniels is special to Wolves fans, but that's about it. Anywhere else and he'd be another young piece that needs seasoning. In Minnesota he's a rising star and has a Hall of Fame ceiling. Like I've said all along, we should pump the brakes on him.

I get your point but this list includes a guy like Culver who IMHO isn't a significant prospect. Also Zhaire Smith hasn't played basketball in a year, was waived last season and is a current FA.

Ok pump the brakes on him. But what do you do with okogie? Blast him into the sun?

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Ok pump the brakes on him. But what do you do with okogie? Blast him into the sun?

I'm not sure what you're referencing. If this board had its way, I don't think Josh Okogie would even be in the rotation. Are you insinuating that Okogie's been hyped up like Jaden McDaniels has been? Clue me in.