The Los Angeles Lakers made an intriguing choice in the 2020 NBA Draft when they selected Jaden McDaniels from the University of Washington with the 28th overall pick. Just hours after the draft, however, the reigning champions made a significant trade by sending McDaniels to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for veteran guard Dennis Schroder. This move, while controversial at the time, set off a chain of events that would impact both teams for years to come.
Shortly thereafter, McDaniels ended up with the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of a deal that brought Aleksej Pokusevski to Oklahoma City. Fast forward to the present, and it’s clear that the Timberwolves—the very team that ultimately acquired McDaniels—are expressing their appreciation. Following their recent first-round playoff victory over the Lakers, they tweeted their thanks to the Lakers, highlighting the moment McDaniels was drafted.
In the 2024-25 NBA playoffs, McDaniels has truly shone against his former team, putting up impressive numbers: 25 points in Game 1 and a remarkable 30 points in Game 3. His performance has not gone unnoticed by his teammates. Anthony Edwards, the rising star of the Timberwolves, expressed his admiration succinctly, saying, “I got two words for you: Jaden McDaniels.”
What makes McDaniels stand out is not just his scoring ability; it’s his formidable defensive prowess. Standing at 6-foot-11 with an impressive 7-foot wingspan, he has developed into one of the league’s top perimeter defenders. Against high-usage players, especially Luka Dončić during the Lakers series, McDaniels showcased his ability to be a disruptive force on defense, making life difficult for even the best scorers in the league.
One memorable moment caught on camera had McDaniels playfully taunting Dončić, urging him to “GET YO A$$ UP” after a flop. It’s these kinds of moments—combining grit and personality—that make basketball thrilling for fans. You can’t help but wonder how the series might have unfolded if McDaniels had stayed with the Lakers, perhaps tasked with defending their own star players instead.
During what has become a breakout season for the now 24-year-old McDaniels, he achieved career-high averages of 12.2 points, shooting 47.7% from the field and 33% from three-point range, alongside 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals. He played all 82 games for the Timberwolves, demonstrating his durability and importance to the team.
As the sixth-seeded Timberwolves advance in the playoffs, they now prepare to face the winner of the Warriors versus Rockets matchup, fueled by their recent successes and their emerging young talent. They seem ready for a deep playoff run, and Jaden McDaniels is undoubtedly a pivotal part of their journey. His story is one of resilience and determination—qualities that resonate with anyone pursuing their dreams amidst the challenges life presents.
Image Source: Jaden McDaniels @ Instagram
