Jaden McDaniels’ Extension: What the Added $40 Million Year Changes

Jaden McDaniels’ extension adds a season to Minnesota’s plans, moving his contract’s endpoint to 2029–30 and raising the salary from which another extension could be calculated.

The Timberwolves announced the signing October 20 without disclosing terms. The Associated Press reported a one-year, $40 million addition, confirmed by agent Nima Namakian.

One added season, rather than a replacement contract

McDaniels already had three seasons remaining on the five-year agreement he signed in 2023, according to AP’s contract reporting. The additional year covers 2029–30. Describing the deal as a one-year extension therefore does not mean Minnesota has signed him for only the coming season.

AP put his 2028–29 salary at approximately $29.8 million. The reported $40 million covers the added year.

What the reported extension adds
Period	Contract position
2026–27 through 2028–29	Three seasons already remaining
2029–30	Added season, reported at $40 million
As early as 2028	Another extension could be negotiated, according to AP

Why the final-year salary matters

The NBA’s published explanation of its collective bargaining agreement sets a salary-based limit for ordinary veteran extensions. Subject to maximum-salary rules and other conditions, the first extended season can pay up to 140% of the greater of the final original-season salary or the estimated average player salary when the extension is signed.

Using $40 million as the salary figure, the calculation is $40 million multiplied by 1.40, or $56 million. That illustrates the higher starting point available under the salary-based formula. It is not an agreed future payment: another contract would require negotiations and compliance with the applicable limits.

AP reported that McDaniels could become eligible for another extension in two years.

The player Minnesota is retaining

McDaniels’ 2025–26 regular-season record gives the basketball context: 73 games, 31.7 minutes per game, 14.8 points and 41.2% shooting from three. Those numbers describe a substantial rotation role across a full season.

His postseason shooting also shows why that regular-season percentage is a baseline rather than a guarantee. Across 12 playoff games, he shot 23.8% from three while averaging 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds. The samples differ in length and opponents; the playoff line qualifies any assumption that last season’s perimeter accuracy will automatically carry forward.

NBA.com’s Minnesota season preview identifies McDaniels’ perimeter defense and the offensive opportunity created by LaMelo Ball’s arrival. The contract preserves that role through another season. The announced extension keeps a returning piece alongside a new playmaker. Whether that combination produces more efficient offense will be a basketball test beyond the contract’s arithmetic.