Timberwolves NBA draft profile: Washington forward Jaden McDaniels

Winter is approaching and the days are getting shorter. That means the 2020 NBA season is almost here!

Due to the redone 2020 season schedule, the NBA draft will be held Nov. 18 while the 2020-21 season will begin Dec. 22.

The Minnesota Timberwolves own two picks in the first round: the top overall selection as well as No. 17. Who might they be interested in at No. 17?

In this edition, we take a look at Washington forward Jaden McDaniels.

OVERVIEW 

McDaniels is from the Seattle metro area and attended Federal Way High School in Federal Way, Wash. Like many NBA draft prospects, he was an elite player in high school. He was named the 2019 Gatorade Player of the Year and scored seven points in the 2019 McDonald’s All-American Game.

He chose to play college basketball with the Washington Huskies after being ranked a five-star recruit and the No. 13 overall player in the 2019 class. McDaniels recorded 13 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 40.5% from the floor in his lone season at Washington.

COMBINE 

McDaniels was invited to the NBA combine but his results are not yet available.

MEASURABLES (via nba.com)

Height: 6-foot-10

Weight: 200 pounds

Wingspan: 7 feet

FILM ROOM

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

“Next in line of long, skilled wing forwards that evoke “shades of KD”, and at points in his high school career had some convinced that he could compete to be a top overall pick … A polarizing prospect, McDaniels is young and has the size and upside some NBA coaches will likely decide he’s worth taking a chance on developing … He had the size that jumped off the screen as a collegiate player, and he makes a few splashy plays that shows what he could become as a combo forward in the perimeter-oriented NBA … Still, he is a young player and he did not play with much consistency as a touted Fr for a Washington team that finished last place in the Pac 12…His attitude was most concerning though, as he often let his emotions get the best of him during their tough season…Still he is only 19 years old, and with his 6’10 frame and a budding face-up game he is someone who it would be easy for a coach to feel is worth stashing and developing as he improves his skills and adds strength.” – NBADraft.net

“All the tools are there and he’s got rare athletic ability for 6-10 player but at this point it’s mostly about potential, since the production hasn’t been great. Jaden is very thin, light and lacking strength. He needs to hit the weight room and the cafeteria hard to hold his own at the next level.” – NBADraftRoom.com

HOW HE FITS

McDaniels is the classic NBA draft pick who oozes with potential. He likely will not end up with a career that mirrors that of Kevin Durant, but it makes sense why people compare him to the former MVP. McDaniels can hit shots from the outside, has good size and his length and athleticism will be useful on defense, especially when he has to switch. If the Timberwolves want to take a longshot on a potential superstar, McDaniels is the way to go.