Jaden McDaniels has carved out a reputation as one of the NBA's elite on-ball defenders, but the Minnesota Timberwolves might be asking too much of their defensive ace. Under Chris Finch's guidance, McDaniels often faces the toughest assignments, ranking in the 99th percentile for matchup difficulty according to B-Ball Index. While his defensive prowess is undeniable, with an impressive 44.2% defensive field goal percentage, there's a limit to how much any player can handle alone.
Take the recent clash against the Los Angeles Clippers as a prime example. Kawhi Leonard exploded for 45 points, many of which came with McDaniels as his primary defender.
Despite this, Finch hesitated to double-team Leonard consistently, leaving McDaniels to fend for himself against one of the league's most unstoppable forces. It’s clear that while Finch's defensive schemes aren't solely to blame for the Wolves' 153-128 loss, they certainly didn't help matters.
This isn't an isolated issue. Throughout the season, top-tier scorers like Luka Doncic, De'Aaron Fox, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have found success against McDaniels, shooting at high percentages.
While McDaniels should be the primary defender, the Wolves need to mix up their defensive strategies by incorporating more double teams or varying matchups, especially when facing hot-handed stars. Ironically, Anthony Edwards faces more defensive pressure than almost anyone in the league, often being blitzed and double-teamed.
Finch might be holding back strategic adjustments for the playoffs, but with playoff seeding on the line, a shift in their defensive approach could pay dividends now.
Offensively, McDaniels often becomes an afterthought. Despite averaging a career-high 14.7 points, he frequently finds himself relegated to the corner, with few plays designed for him.
In the game against the Clippers, McDaniels went 5-for-6 from the field, yet most of his attempts came in the first half. The second half saw him largely ignored.
For McDaniels to truly impact games, he needs to be integrated more into the offensive flow. Finch and the team must prioritize involving him throughout the game, not just in bursts. Despite having a standout season, McDaniels has had 24 games with fewer than 10 field goal attempts.
As the playoffs loom, the Timberwolves must find ways to better support McDaniels on both ends of the floor. Failing to do so could lead to an early exit from the postseason.