Timberwolves' Jaden McDaniels Is Already Influencing Young NBA Players

The NBA is a league dominated by wing players nowadays. Length is hugely important for any team that wants to succeed. The Timberwolves have done well in that department, as they have McDaniels, Edwards, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert, all of whom are lengthy players.

However, McDaniels has the profile that any team would love to have. He is a versatile defender who can defend almost anyone on the floor. At the same time, he is also a growing offensive player with a high ceiling that could rival many star players around the league. McDaniels has become good enough that players like Jordan Walsh are looking up to him.

Walsh Wants To Emulate McDaniels' Example As A Wing

Considering that he's only 24, McDaniels' development has been impressive. He went from being a raw prospect in 2020 to becoming one of the league's most reliable defenders and a promising offensive player. That two-way ability makes him such a valuable asset for the Timberwolves.

With that, McDaniels has joined Edwards as one of the team's foundational pieces. They will stay together for a long time and continue to work hard to win a championship for Minnesota. It will be a challenging task, but McDaniels' strengths will play a big role in the team's potential success.

McDaniels has become a shining example for younger wing players, which is huge because it shows his true impact. He is already becoming a model that players want to follow in his footsteps.

"For me, it's Jaden McDaniels and Aaron Nesmith. Those are the guys I've had comparisons to their role on championship-level teams," Boston Celtics forward Jordan Walsh said in the 2025 NBA Summer League. "I've watched a bunch of film, highlights, and stuff. I've been following them on my iPad just to watch. Those are the guys, for sure."

McDaniels Will Continue To Improve For The Timberwolves

The best thing about players like McDaniels and Edwards now is that they are still quite young. They have not reached their physical prime, which is key to their long-term plans. The Timberwolves intend to keep building around their core duo, and they will maximize their talents for the foreseeable future.

McDaniels has improved year after year, which is a good development. If that keeps happening, Edwards can be joined by another All-Star-level player. Randle is already a borderline star, so having more talented players leading the charge for the Timberwolves is good.

Minnesota is close to reaching the NBA Finals after losing in the Western Conference Finals two years in a row. They want third time's the charm in the 2025-26 season, and that will be due to their players' contributions, especially Edwards and McDaniels, as the two foundational pieces.