MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves and starting forward Jaden McDaniels agreed Monday to a one-year, $40 million contract extension, keeping the defensive standout tied to the franchise through the 2029-30 season, ESPN first reported.
McDaniels had three seasons remaining on his prior contract, which was scheduled to pay him $84 million. The new agreement pushes the total value of his deal over the next four years to roughly $124 million, according to reports from ESPN and NBC Sports. McDaniels’ representatives, Nima Namakian of Innovate Sports and Bill Duffy of WME Basketball, confirmed the terms to ESPN.
The move marks a rare contractual milestone in league history. McDaniels is the first player in NBA history to sign an extension with three years still left on a non-maximum deal, HoopsHype reporter Michael Scotto reported.
Strategic flexibility for future negotiations
The single-year addition provides both financial security for McDaniels and long-term roster stability for Minnesota. The $40 million salary in 2029-30 is expected to take up approximately 21 percent of the projected salary cap, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported.
By resetting McDaniels’ baseline salary to $40 million, the deal positions him to maximize his earnings on future pacts. McDaniels will be eligible to negotiate another extension as early as 2028, with a opening-year salary that could reach up to 140 percent of that $40 million mark — or roughly $56 million, ESPN reported. The Pioneer Press reported that he could also qualify for a three-year, $180 million maximum extension in 2028. If he plays out the contract through 2030, McDaniels will reach 10 years of NBA service time, qualifying him for top-tier free agent earnings.
Expanded role on both ends of the floor
The 26-year-old forward has played all six of his professional seasons in Minnesota after the franchise acquired his draft rights from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. Over 439 career appearances, including 363 starts, McDaniels has established a reputation as one of the league’s premier perimeter stoppers, earning an NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection in 2024.
His offensive production has steadily risen alongside his defense. During the 2025-26 season, McDaniels posted career-best scoring numbers. Outlets reported slightly different regular-season averages: Minnesota Sports Fan, NBC Sports and the Pioneer Press reported he averaged 14.8 points per game, while Bring Me The Sports reported 14.6 points. McDaniels shot 51.5 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from 3-point range, and he lifted his scoring average to 16.3 points during the postseason.
McDaniels continued that offensive surge during the preseason, averaging 24.8 points in fewer than 21 minutes per game while shooting 60.6 percent from the floor, NBC Sports reported.
New look for Minnesota
McDaniels is anticipated to shoulder a heavier offensive load this winter following offseason trades that sent Julius Randle and Naz Reid away from Minnesota, Bring Me The Sports reported. The starting lineup now features McDaniels and newcomer Jonathan Kuminga alongside primary scorers Anthony Edwards and point guard LaMelo Ball.
Ball praised McDaniels’ versatile skill set following Monday’s practice.
“I love Jaden,” Ball said, according to the Pioneer Press. “I mean, 6-10, can move, long, play defense, cut backdoor, shoot the three. I mean, really anything you need. It’s like a damn near 2K player. It’s crazy.”
With McDaniels secured through 2030, Minnesota’s core includes Edwards and Ball signed through 2029. The Timberwolves begin their regular season Wednesday night on the road against the Miami Heat, followed by a Friday matchup at Orlando before their home opener Sunday against the Toronto Raptors.
