Five-year NBA veteran Jalen McDaniels will resume his career in the G League, having signed an NBAGL contract, according to the league’s official transaction log.
While the G League’s log says McDaniels has been claimed off waivers by the Memphis Hustle, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link) hears from sources that the veteran forward is joining the Capital City Go-Go. The Grizzlies‘ and Wizards‘ affiliates will have to work out a trade to make that happen.
The 52nd overall pick in the 2019 draft, McDaniels showed some promise during the first four years of his career, which he spent primarily in Charlotte. His height (6’9″), wingspan (7’0″), and athleticism made him a versatile piece on defense, and he displayed a little outside shooting ability, making 34.2% of his three-point tries with the Hornets. The Sixers traded for him at the 2023 trade deadline and he finished that season in Philadelphia.
However, McDaniels’ production and playing time cratered last season in Toronto after he signed a two-year, $9.26MM contract with the Raptors. He was traded to Sacramento in a Kings salary dump at the start of the 2024 offseason, then was flipped to the Spurs in another cost-cutting move in October, about a week before the regular season began. San Antonio subsequently waived him.
McDaniels, who is still just 26, could earn an NBA call-up at some point this season if he impresses in the G League. He’s ineligible to sign a two-way contract, but could sign a standard deal or – beginning in early January – a 10-day pact.
McDaniels is the older brother of Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels.