Timberwolves’ next breakout star is already showing signs of taking off

Jaden McDaniels has always been one of those players where you can see the talent before the numbers fully catch up.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have known what they have in him for a while. The talent is obvious. The defensive ability is obvious. The way he can make life difficult for some of the best scorers in the league has been part of his identity since he arrived.

Now the next part is getting more out of him on the other end.

McDaniels is coming off a career-best 2025-26 season, and the Timberwolves are expecting him to keep pushing forward. Playing alongside Anthony Edwards means he doesn’t always need to carry a huge offensive load, but there are nights when Minnesota needs him to be more than just a defensive anchor.

That means hitting shots with consistency, taking advantage of smaller defenders, and being more comfortable creating when the play breaks down.

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Those are the little things that can turn a talented role player into someone teams have to game plan for.

The timing feels right. McDaniels is no longer the young player trying to prove he belongs. He’s entering the stage where expectations start changing, and the Timberwolves are looking for him to become a bigger part of what they do.

Minnesota also has rookie Isaiah Evans. They picked him 33rd overall this year. The Duke product brings shooting ability and could find opportunities early, especially with injuries creating openings in the backcourt.

But McDaniels is the player with the clearest path to a bigger role.

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The Wolves don’t need him to become someone else. They already know the defender he is. The challenge is adding more layers to a game that has always felt like it had another level waiting.