McDaniels Emerging as Two-Way Threat; Updates on Bailey, Valanciunas, Blazers Sale
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Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels is expanding his game beyond defense early in his sixth NBA season. Through 11 contests, the 25-year-old is averaging 18.4 points while shooting .550 from the field, .538 from three, and .844 at the line, all on a 21.3% usage rate. Prior to this year, McDaniels had never posted more than 12.2 points per game or a usage rate above 16.3%.
Teammate Anthony Edwards said the club plans to continue putting the ball in McDaniels’ hands. “If he makes the right play, we can be 10 times better,” Edwards noted, calling McDaniels “a great scorer” and potential facilitator. Knicks forward Julius Randle added that McDaniels is “one of the best two-way players in the league.”
Bailey Settling In With Jazz
Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey is averaging 8.7 points on .415/.324/.824 shooting but has reached double figures in four straight games. Veteran big man Kevin Love praised the 19-year-old’s approach, saying Bailey “wants to do the right thing always” and predicting steady improvement as the season progresses.
Valanciunas Boosting Nuggets’ Depth
The offseason arrival of center Jonas Valanciunas has allowed Denver to trim Nikola Jokić’s workload to 33.9 minutes per game, down from 36.7 last year. Head coach David Adelman said Valanciunas, 33, has been “positive” in attitude and production, helping the Nuggets post a –4.0 net rating when Jokić sits compared with –9.3 a season ago.
Blazers Ownership Update
A spokesperson for Paul Allen’s estate denied reports that the family will retain a 20% stake in the Portland Trail Blazers after the franchise’s sale to Tom Dundon. The representative said Dundon’s group will assume full ownership once the transaction closes, leaving the estate with no remaining shares.
Source: Hoops Rumors
