Edwards, McDaniels have Wolves team options picked up
File: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Edwards drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls guard Coby White, left, forward Malcolm Hill, forward DeMar DeRozan, second from right, and center Tony Bradley, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has exercised the fourth-year options on guard Anthony Edwards and forward Jaden McDaniels.
Edwards, 21, wrapped up his second season in the NBA after appearing in 72 games (all starts) and averaged 21.3 points on 44.1% shooting, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and a team-high 1.5 steals in 34.2 minutes per game. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, led all second-year players in scoring with 22.7 ppg (tying for 19th league-wide), while leading all sophomores last season in 40+ point games (3) and tied for the most 30+ point games (9).
McDaniels, 22, enters his third season in the NBA after finishing up his second year where he appeared in 70 games (31 starts). He saw increases in almost every statistical category, averaging 9.2 points on 46.0% shooting, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 25.8 minutes per game. Among all rookies, the Federal Way, Wash. native ranked third in total blocks (54) and fifth in blocks per game (0.8). The Wolves originally acquired the draft rights to the 6-9 forward from the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 20, 2020. He was drafted in the first round (28th overall) by the Los Angeles Lakers of the 2020 NBA Draft.