Local products in NBA: McDaniels gets extension; Porter surprisingly waived

The Minnesota Timberwolves and forward Jaden McDaniels have agreed on a one-year, $40 million contract extension through the 2029-30 season, furthering their commitment to keeping the two-way standout as part of their long-term core.

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McDaniels has three seasons left on a five-year, $136 million contract he signed right before the 2023-24 season. This extension, which was first reported by ESPN on Monday night, was confirmed to The Associated Press by one of McDaniels’ agents, Nima Namakian.

The 26-year-old McDaniels is a Federal Way High School product who starred in 2020 for the UW Huskies.

The deal gives the Timberwolves another year of cost certainty in managing future salary caps around the next maximum contracts anticipated for star guards Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball. The extension also makes McDaniels eligible for another one in two years at a higher rate, thanks to the hefty raise he’ll get from about $29.8 million in 2028-29 to the $40 million in 2029-30.

The 6-foot-9 McDaniels had a career-best season in 2025-26, with an average of 14.8 points per game and 41.2% shooting from 3-point range, and the Timberwolves are confident the arrival of Ball and his keen passing ability can help unlock even more offensive potential. McDaniels, who was drafted with the 28th pick in 2020 out of Washington, has long been the team’s best perimeter defender, as well. He was an NBA All-Defensive second-team selection in 2023-24.

Bucks waive Kevin Porter Jr.

The Milwaukee Bucks waived guard Kevin Porter Jr. on Monday after a 2025-26 season in which he led the team in assists per game and ranked second in scoring.

The move came ahead of Monday’s NBA roster deadline. The Bucks open their season Wednesday at Washington.

Although injuries limited Porter to 38 games last season, the 6-foot-5 guard productive when available. He averaged 17.4 points, 7.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals.

Porter, 26, starred at Seattle’s Rainier Beach High School before playing one college season at USC. He was drafted 30th overall by Milwaukee in 2019.

The Bucks had a surplus of guards as they retool in their first season without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was traded to Miami in the offseason. Waiving Porter should open up more playing time for younger backcourt performers such as rookie Brayden Burries and 20-year-old Kasparas Jakučionis, who will complement returning guard Ryan Rollins and 2025 All-Star Tyler Herro.

Jakučionis and Herro came to Milwaukee in the Antetokounmpo trade. The Bucks selected Burries out of Arizona with the 10th overall pick in this year’s draft.

Seattle Sports made minor additions to this post.

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