Reports have come out over the last week that 22-year-old Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels has had a late stage growth spurt, taking him from 6-foot-9 to 6-foot-11. Although extremely rare, studies have found that men can continue growing until 24 years old, and McDaniels is one of the strongest beneficiaries of that fact. This takes a player that by many metrics was the best perimeter defender in the league last season, and makes it so that he can easily guard one-through-five. This can legitimately make McDaniels the best and most versatile defenders in the entire NBA. To put it in perspective, I’m going to give you some other notable 6’11 guys in the league right now. Nikola Jokic, Myles Turner, DeAndre Ayton, Evan Mobley, Steven Adams, and Alperen Sengun. At his new height, McDaniels wouldn’t even be undersized at the center spot, and he can play the shooting guard spot. He had already been a sleeper pick by many to evolve into a future star with Minnesota, and I’d say many more people will be getting on that bandwagon now. Because not only does this drastically raise his ceiling, it also raises his floor. Because even if his offense never reaches the elite level some hope for, he’d be the best perimeter defender at his height with relative ease. And it will make him reaching the offensive upside much more likely, because he can shoot over people with ease. Make no mistake, Anthony Edwards is still the most important player for Minnesota moving forward, but McDaniels just shot up to number two. Let’s not forget this is a player called the next Kevin Durant coming out of high school, and now he’s got the build to match. The Jaden McDaniels growth spurt changes EVERYTHING.
Think about subbing, I’m on the road to 10k!!!
#jadenmcdaniels #minnesotatimberwolves #anthonyedwards
2 Comments
Well Kuminga is now 7’3” so the Dubs are still good
Wolves might be the All Wingspan team