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Jaden McDaniels signs $40 million one-year extension

By Drooid · Oct 21, 2026, 2:39 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Timberwolves Cap Constraints

Jaden McDaniels signs $40 million deal covering about 21 percent of the NBA salary cap.
The Timberwolves operate near the league’s second-apron threshold, limiting future spending.
Anthony Edwards could qualify for a four-year, $345 million supermax extension, averaging $82 million annually.
Rudy Gobert holds a player option for next season that could trigger another large contract.
LaMelo Ball, under contract through 2028-29, may receive an extension starting at 30 percent of the cap.

Summary

Jaden McDaniels Extends

Jaden McDaniels signed a one-year, $40 million extension keeping him under contract through the 2029-30 season.
He previously agreed to a fully guaranteed five-year, $136 million deal in October 2023.
In 2025-26 he posted career-high averages of 14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists, shooting 41.2% from three.
The new deal lets him seek another extension as early as 2028 or become a free agent in summer 2030.

Summary

McDaniels Eyes Expanded Role

McDaniels recorded 32 points and 10 rebounds in the series-clinching Game 6 versus Denver.
He said he wants to become an All-Star and will put in the work.
During preseason he averaged 24.8 points in under 21 minutes while shooting 60.6% overall and 71.4% from three.
After the trades of Julius Randle and Naz Reid he could assume a larger offensive role.

History

Historical Context

The NBA’s 1995 collective bargaining agreement instituted a $30.3 million salary cap and luxury-tax threshold, reshaping team payrolls for all franchises. That deal capped player earnings, yet the league’s top five contracts in 2024 totaled $1.2 billion, with the Timberwolves allocating $40 million to McDaniels. Today, Minnesota’s cap-tight strategy mirrors 1995’s constraints as Jaden McDaniels, Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and LaMelo Ball negotiate extensions near the second-apron limit. The precedent shows that aggressive extensions can trigger future luxury-tax penalties, forcing franchises to balance star retention against long-term financial flexibility.

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Timberwolves Cap Constraints

Jaden McDaniels signs $40 million deal covering about 21 percent of the NBA salary cap.
The Timberwolves operate near the league’s second-apron threshold, limiting future spending.
Anthony Edwards could qualify for a four-year, $345 million supermax extension, averaging $82 million annually.
Rudy Gobert holds a player option for next season that could trigger another large contract.
LaMelo Ball, under contract through 2028-29, may receive an extension starting at 30 percent of the cap.

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