Jaden McDaniels has slowly — but confidently — carved out a name for himself in the NBA. Once a top high school recruit and later a standout at Washington, McDaniels has become one of the Timberwolves’ most valuable two-way players. He’s a big part of Minnesota’s rise — and now, he’s finally getting paid like it.
Jaden McDaniels’ NBA Contract
When the Los Angeles Lakers took him with the 28th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, it wasn’t the end of the story. McDaniels was immediately traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and then again, this time to Minnesota, where things actually began.
He started slow, averaging 6.8 points per game as a rookie. But since then, McDaniels has added more to his offensive bag each year. He reached 12.1 points per game in 2022-23 and consistently stayed around that mark. However, it’s his defense that has really separated him from the pack. The 6’9” wing regularly takes on tough assignments, guarding multiple positions and making life miserable for scorers across the league.
His importance didn’t go unnoticed. The Timberwolves extended McDaniels in October 2023 with a five-year, $131 million contract, fully guaranteed. No options, no tricks — just straight-up belief in the player.
According to Spotrac, McDaniels is earning $22,586,207 in base salary for the 2024-25 season. He also has an incentive bonus of $431,035, bringing his total cap hit to $23,017,242. Spread across the year, he’s making roughly $43.79 per minute — not bad for someone who started out with a modest rookie deal.
Here’s how the rest of the contract plays out:
- 2025-26: $24,858,621
- 2026-27: $26,700,000
- 2027-28: $28,541,379
- 2028-29: $30,382,758
It’s a steady climb, and all of it is locked in.
McDaniels’ Career Net Worth and Earnings
As of May 2025, McDaniels has earned over $33 million in NBA salary. His estimated net worth sits at $20 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth — a figure that’s only going to rise with his current deal and future endorsements.
Before turning pro, he was named a McDonald’s All-American and Washington Gatorade Men’s Basketball Player of the Year. Now, five seasons into his NBA career, he’s coming off an 82-game year where he averaged 12.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, helping lead the Timberwolves to their second Western Conference Finals appearance in a row.
McDaniels may not always fill the stat sheet, but his presence is felt in every possession. Whether it’s rotating on defense, spacing the floor, or locking down elite scorers, his value goes beyond box scores. As Minnesota continues building around Anthony Edwards, McDaniels remains a crucial third pillar in their long-term plans.
The Timberwolves are betting on him as a long-term piece. So far? It looks like a good bet.
