Timberwolves continue to go all-in with massive extension for breakout forward

The deal is a high-risk, high-reward decision for the Wolves, putting themselves in a difficult (and almost unprecedented for their franchise) financial position. McDaniels is coming off a breakout third season in the NBA though, one in which he averaged career highs in points (12.1), assists (1.9), steals (0.9) and minutes per contest (30.6), as well as 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game. The 23-year-old also had his best field goal (51.7%) and three-point field goal percentages (39.8%) and tied with superstar Anthony Edwards for the team lead in games and games started (79).

McDaniels was second on the squad in blocks and blocks per game, trailing only former Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. He was second on the team in field percentage among players who averaged at least 20 minutes per contest, behind only Gobert.

The former first round pick's 2022-23 campaign ended in embarrassing fashion, however, when he suffered a season-ending hand fracture after he punched a wall in frustration during the regular-season finale. The injury caused McDaniels to miss both of Minnesota's play-in tournament games, as well as the entire first-round series defeat against the Denver Nuggets.

Basketball media members had differing opinions on the extension.

Keith Smith of Spotrac and Shams Charania of The Athletic broke down just how much of an investment the McDaniels deal is and what kind of spot financially it puts the Timberwolves in. Entering only his fourth season, however, Charania cited the youngster's talent, calling him a "potential" Defensive Player of the Year candidate.