MINNEAPOLIS — 4 years in the past, Patrick Beverley was sure he knew precisely what Jaden McDaniels wanted to take the following step in his profession. On the time, Beverley was a boisterous presence within the Minnesota Timberwolves locker room and he wouldn’t cease telling anybody who would pay attention simply what this quiet, under-the-radar, late first-round draft choose was able to turning into.
McDaniels reminded Beverley a lot of one other understated ahead with ultra-long arms, defensive versatility and all of the offensive talent you would ask for that he had performed with in Los Angeles.
“C’mon, Pat,” individuals would say to him. “You suppose Jaden McDaniels may be like Kawhi Leonard?”
Beverley by no means blinked whereas insisting that sure, McDaniels could possibly be one other Kawhi. Beverley spent two years on the Clippers with Leonard, advancing to the Western Convention finals in 2021. When Beverley got here to Minnesota the next season, McDaniels was in his second yr and nonetheless making an attempt to determine himself within the league.
Beverley promised to get McDaniels and Leonard collectively for summer season exercises, believing that the commonalities can be productive for Jaden as he tried to search out his manner and keep away from being pigeon-holed as simply one other 3-and-D wing.
McDaniels linked up with Leonard final summer season, getting collectively in Los Angeles for some offseason work in what needed to be one of many quietest gyms in America.
Kawhi Leonard and Jaden McDaniels practiced collectively this morning in San Diego🔥 pic.twitter.com/aiTUym2Jcx
— clippa twitta (@clipfullyloaded) August 20, 2025
Neither participant is way for small speak. Each let their hooping converse for them.
In his sixth season within the NBA, McDaniels’ recreation is louder than ever. Leonard noticed it first-hand on Saturday night time, when McDaniels scored 12 of his 27 factors within the third quarter to roust the Timberwolves from a first-half slumber en path to their fifth straight victory, this one a 109-106 win over the Clippers.
McDaniels has lengthy had a popularity as one of many league’s higher perimeter defenders, however he has typically been considered as a one-dimensional participant, till this season. He’s averaging a career-high 16 factors per recreation whereas capturing a blistering 48.5 p.c from 3-point vary, a quantity that appears much less and fewer insane with every assured, no-hesitation stroke he unleashes, now greater than 1 / 4 of the best way into the season.
JADEN. JMAC. SLIM. WHATEVER YOU CALL HIM.
HE’S ON 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/7tsdmxFTsM
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) December 7, 2025
McDaniels was 10 for 13 (77 p.c) from the sphere towards the Clippers, the ninth time this season he has made at the very least 60 p.c of his photographs and fourth time he’s topped 70 p.c.
“I’m taller than everyone, so it at all times appears that I’m open, for actual,” McDaniels mentioned along with his trademark shrug.
None of that is outstanding to him. He has lengthy been one of many hardest employees on the crew, toiling all summer season lengthy along with his greatest buddy, Naz Reid, to verify he’s identified for extra than simply his defensive prowess. He is not going to be painted into the nook, the place so many defensive-minded wings are epoxied to allow them to take the shortest attainable 3-point shot to make themselves helpful on offense.
McDaniels is exhibiting that he’s a lot extra. In these exercises with Leonard, when the 2 did really speak, the two-time NBA Finals MVP instructed McDaniels how vital it was to not be in a rush on offense.
“Simply not letting the protection velocity you up, play at your tempo always,” McDaniels mentioned about what Leonard instructed him. “And that’s one thing I took from him and simply staying at your personal tempo. I don’t wish to give out an excessive amount of as a result of, you already know.”
Leonard could also be diminished as of late by well being, however there is no such thing as a disputing his understanding of the sport and learn how to personal it. When he’s wholesome and at his greatest, he hunts opponents with a chilly relentlessness that borders on sociopathic. There isn’t a fluff in his recreation, no have to justify his greatness with phrases when the rings, the stats and the cash do all of that and extra.
The similarities between the 2 gamers when it comes to demeanor are uncanny, the Spider-Man meme come to life. Leonard wasn’t an All-Star till his fifth season, however did get a crash course in professionalism and success whereas taking part in with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker in San Antonio.
McDaniels’ growth has been extra gradual. He was drafted by a crew that gained 23 video games his rookie season, however has shortly develop into an annual contender within the Western Convention. He hovered round 33 p.c from 3 for many of his first 5 seasons within the league, and drew chuckles from some across the league when it was revealed that the Timberwolves most popular to place extra draft capital into the commerce bundle for Rudy Gobert in 2022 quite than ship McDaniels to Utah.
He might not be Leonard but as a constant, go-to offensive participant. However the Wolves’ up-and-down begin to this season has been highlighted by McDaniels taking a serious step down that path. His effectivity is coming with a excessive diploma of issue. The photographs on which he’s thriving usually are not simply dunks or catch-and-shoot 3s. They’re being generated by his improved deal with and his potential stand up over anybody in entrance of him for a clear take a look at the basket.
“We see it daily. He works on his recreation,” Mike Conley mentioned. “He’s 6-10, dang close to. Most of these photographs look tough. However for him, he doesn’t see anyone guarding him.”
sheeeeesh, JMac 😳 pic.twitter.com/LqEy8REvlZ
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) December 7, 2025
It was the sixth time this season that McDaniels has topped 20 factors in a recreation, and this was one of many first instances that he was a real focus of the offense and never only a wingman. The Wolves had been struggling mightily offensively within the first half, scoring simply 42 factors and turning the ball over 10 instances to fall behind by as many as 18.
The Clippers did an ideal job of creating issues tough for Anthony Edwards (15 factors on 3-for-11 capturing with 5 turnovers) and turning Julius Randle into an iso participant. So coach Chris Finch began placing the ball in McDaniels’ arms extra within the third quarter. He made all 5 of his photographs, together with his solely 3, serving to the Wolves trim a 14-point halftime deficit to 6 by the top of the quarter.
“He carried us tonight,” Conley mentioned. “He actually took the sport over.”
Finch then rode McDaniels for the complete fourth quarter, which the Wolves gained, 37-28, to place away the vigorous Clippers (6-18) on the second night time of a back-to-back. As he walked down the Clippers with an expressionless face and a bag of mid-range jumpers, McDaniels stored these classes he discovered from Leonard on the forefront of his thoughts.
“I actually simply be affected person and take the shot I wish to take, irrespective of how a lot strain the protection is taking part in,” he mentioned. “Simply being poised.”
As soon as McDaniels received the Wolves offense going, Reid erupted for 14 factors within the last quarter to push them excessive. He went 4 for 4 from 3-point vary, together with one from the nook with 13.5 seconds left that gave Minnesota a 107-104 lead.
Massive Jelly. larger bucket. 🍇 pic.twitter.com/yYzaEl57oH
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) December 7, 2025
Reid completed with 19 factors and 9 rebounds, the final of which got here on certainly one of McDaniels’ few misses, with the sport tied at 104 and 19.5 seconds left. The ball then swung across the horn to Reid within the nook.
“You’re not likely in that place lots, particularly once you get the prospect to and also you gotta have all of the … you already know the phrase … to make the shot and take the shot,” Reid mentioned. “It was enjoyable. It was thrilling.”
Randle had 24 factors and 6 assists, Jaylen Clark got here off the bench with a few massive 3-point performs and Conley was a plus-14 in 18 important minutes for the Wolves (15-8).
Leonard scored 20 factors on 8-for-17 capturing, a few of these misses coming from contests by McDaniels. James Harden had 34 factors and 6 assists for the Clippers.
McDaniels actually just isn’t on Leonard’s stage but. Leonard is a six-time All-Star, two-time Defensive Participant of the 12 months and has gained championships as a supporting forged member in San Antonio and The Man in Toronto. However McDaniels is, ever so quietly, making an attempt to observe in Leonard’s footsteps as a demon on protection and a grasp of the midrange on offense.
“What he’s bringing to us is large,” Donte DiVincenzo mentioned. “All through the sport, generally we’re all searching for a spark and he delivers. Generally we’re seeking to put our foot on the neck and he delivers. And generally we’re searching for just a few steadiness all through the sport. He’s been doing the whole lot we’ve requested him to do and what’s anticipated of him.”
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