Jaden McDaniels isn’t focused on extension negotiations, but it’s a clear priority for Timberwolves

Timberwolves fans are patiently awaiting news that one of the franchise’s young core pieces will be locked up for the long-term.

After Anthony Edwards signed his max extension in July, the next logical step was for Minnesota to also extend Edwards’ wingman, two-way standout Jaden McDaniels.

“Oh, Jaden is the most important person on the team, for sure, because he has the most potential,” Edwards said on media day. “So, yeah, I think the world knows we wouldn’t be Minnesota Timberwolves without Jaden McDaniels. So yeah, I’m looking forward to him having a phenomenal season.”

The deadline to extend McDaniels is in October. If Minnesota can’t reach an agreement with the defensive stopper by then, McDaniels would then enter restricted free agency next summer – where the Timberwolves would have the right to match any offer any other team would extend to McDaniels.

Minnesota doesn’t plan on it getting that far.

“I think we want to be an organization that rewards our players. Super proud of Jaden’s development, both as a player and person,” Wolves basketball boss Tim Connelly said. “So we’ve had some really constructive conversation with his agents. Fingers crossed we get something done.”

McDaniels has established himself as one of the league’s premiere perimeter defenders, capable of locking up the league’s top scorers on a night to night basis. He’s also an offensive player with few major deficiencies.

That package is likely to earn McDaniels somewhere between $25 and $30 million per season on his next contract.

Connelly said the “cool thing” about extension discussions is it’s all positive. These talks mean the both the team and player want to “further cement” the relationship. These conversations, Connelly noted, “should be fun.”

‘At times, contractual negotiations can be contentious, but certainly not in an extension year. it’s a great pat on his back to say that we’re so actively trying to get something done. It’s reflective of all his work and his productivity. And again, not just as a player, as a person,” Connelly said. “So, it should never get weird. We’re the luckiest guys in the world. We’re just talking about how many zeros a player is going to get. And he gets it and he’s a great guy. I think he’s enjoying this and I think he’s excited about what this year is going to look like.”

That’s exactly where McDaniels’ focus is at the moment. He’s zeroed in on being an aggressive, effective perimeter defender who’s also confident in his ever-evolving offensive abilities.

“Really I’ve just been focused on basketball. I’m working out,” McDaniels said. “I know the contract thing is there, but I just try to let my agents handle it and continue to get better as a player.

Connelly noted that the Wolves don’t have a “gun to our head” re: negotiations, because Minnesota could always just ink McDaniels to a big deal next offseason.

“But,” he noted, “if we had our druthers, we’d like to get something done sooner rather than later.”