Jaden McDaniels is the X-Factor for the Minnesota Timberwolves

Jaden McDaniels’ offensive emergence is key for the Minnesota Timberwolves

McDaniels shot 36 percent from three as a rookie. After a rough start to his sophomore campaign, he has found that 36 percent again since the start of the calendar year.

He’s often stationed in the corners and has hit just enough from there to be a reliable threat. He had two long balls in Game 1 (including a massive dagger three with just under two minutes left) en route to an impressive 15-point performance.

However, Jaden’s growth is most evident in the other aspects of his game. McDaniels has become adept at finding the soft spots in a defense: lurking in the dunker spot for a KAT dump-off, relocating from the wing to the corner for an easier Russell kick-out pass, or slicing to the rim while a defender gawks at Anthony Edwards.

Jaden’s really impressed me with his improved sense of timing on cuts, where he’s currently scoring 1.366 points per possession, according to Synergy Sports. That same sense of timing helps on the offensive glass, and he can use his immense athleticism to simply outjump folks. Watch below as he waits patiently before timing his rebounding run at the exact right moment:

McDaniels has done more this year with the ball in his hands, but on a team with so many mouths to feed, he’ll need to maximize his opportunities without the ball to buoy the offense.

The Wolves believe they have their big three with KAT, Edwards, and Russell, but every playoff team needs complementary pieces to step up. Anthony Edwards himself proclaimed Jaden McDaniels the “MVP of the game” after Game 1. Jaden’s emergence on both sides of the ball could elevate the Wolves further than even they thought they could go.