Jaden McDaniels: Unprecedented Money, Immediate Proof
Before Minnesota tipped off its season, the Timberwolves made a statement — and Jaden McDaniels made history.
The former Husky agreed to a one-year, $40 million extension keeping him under contract through the 2029-30 season, a structure ClutchPoints described as "literally unprecedented" in NBA history. No player had previously signed a single-year extension at that price point. For Minnesota, it's a calculated bridge — rewarding McDaniels without locking into a long-term commitment — but the dollar figure alone signals how central the 23-year-old has become to the franchise's Anthony Edwards–LaMelo Ball era.
McDaniels didn't waste any time justifying the investment. In the season opener against Miami on Wednesday, he dropped 17 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and recorded 4 steals across just 27 minutes, finishing a jaw-dropping +23 in a 131-106 blowout. Two days later, against Orlando on Friday, he added 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks in 29 minutes (+12) as Minnesota rolled again, 115-93. Through two games, McDaniels has been exactly what the Timberwolves paid for: a two-way force who impacts the game in ways that don't always show up on a box score — and some that very much do.
New teammate LaMelo Ball has taken notice. Ball called McDaniels "damn near a 2K player" — a nod to the kind of all-around rating the video game reserves for elite contributors. High praise from a high-profile new running mate.
Matisse Thybulle: Starting Role in L.A.
Meanwhile, on the other coast, Matisse Thybulle is turning heads in Hollywood.
The Lakers signed the former Washington defensive specialist this summer, and he earned a starting spot alongside Ziaire Williams heading into the team's season opener against Golden State — filling roles for two defensive forwards to flank Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler. ESPN's Zach Kram called Thybulle potentially the most valuable of the nine new pieces L.A. added this offseason, a bold prediction that turned heads before the Warriors game.
Through two outings, Thybulle has looked the part. Against Golden State on Thursday, he posted 3 points, 3 rebounds, a steal, and a block in 23 minutes, finishing +12 in a 127-105 Lakers win. He followed that Saturday with 13 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block in 23 minutes — a +13 performance — as Los Angeles handled the Clippers 125-117. The defensive energy is expected; the 13-point output offered something more.
Around the Dawg Pack
Elsewhere, Isaiah Stewart is off to a rocky start in Memphis. The UW big man missed the Grizzlies' season opener with a left ankle sprain, then logged just 16 minutes in Saturday's 111-108 win over Golden State — finishing -16 despite the team victory. His health and role will be worth monitoring as Memphis leans on Zach Edey to anchor the frontcourt.
And rookie Hannes Steinbach remains a work in progress with Charlotte. Sports Illustrated noted the Hornets kept the 20-year-old out of their opening-night rotation entirely, though he has since seen spot minutes — logging 12 minutes (6 points, 5 rebounds) in a Friday blowout loss to Atlanta.
Two weeks into the 2026-27 season, the UW alumni story is being written in Minneapolis and Los Angeles — and both chapters are off to a strong start.
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