11:36 am: McDaniels’ 10-day contract is official, according to a release from the Wizards. As expected, the team terminated Stevenson’s 10-day deal early in order to open up a roster spot.
8:20 am: The Wizards are signing Jalen McDaniels to a 10-day contract, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link).
In order to make room for McDaniels on the 15-man roster, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets Washington will release Erik Stevenson from his own 10-day deal.
McDaniels, the older brother of the Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels, is a five-year NBA veteran. He hasn’t played in the league yet this season, having last suited up for Toronto in 2023/24. He has been playing for Washington’s G League affiliate, averaging 12.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 0.8 blocks per game in 29 outings (26 starts) for the Capital City Go-Go.
The elder McDaniels was the 52nd overall pick in the 2019 draft, spending the first three-and-a-half years of his career with the Hornets. He was then moved to the Sixers at the 2023 deadline in the multi-team trade that saw Josh Hart land with the Knicks and Matisse Thybulle go to Portland.
After that season, McDaniels signed with the Raptors. He played in 50 games for Toronto last year before being traded twice this offseason. In June, the Raptors sent him to Sacramento in a move that netted them Jamal Shead and Davion Mitchell, and the Kings flipped him in October to the Spurs, who waived him.
In 248 NBA appearances (45 starts), McDaniels holds averages of 6.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG and 1.2 APG while shooting 44.9% from the field and 32.2% from three.
The Wizards have been cycling through 10-day contracts since the deadline. They signed Jaylen Nowell on Feb. 8 before ending his 10-day deal early to sign Stevenson on Feb. 17. Now, five days later, they’re set to make another change. Neither Nowell nor Stevenson made an appearance for Washington. Stevenson is averaging 17.1 PPG with a .388 3PT% in the G League this season.
After the moves are official, the Wizards will remain at a full roster, with 15 players on standard contracts and three on two-way pacts.
He deserves another chance.
Washington needs a young C or PF (19-21) (C must be 6’11+) to rebound and develop next to Sarr
He could be a similar player to his brother if he could put it all together & get an opportunity for 15 to 20 mpg. He has a great body & athleticism to be a solid defender & finisher – If he could just get his 3pt shot to 35 – 38 % he’d have a lot of teams lining up to sign him.
His problem when he played for my Sixers seemed to be lack of a consistent motor – he wasn’t really grinding & scrapping out there, & when you’re a fringe bench player you really gotta capitalize on any opportunity you get with maximum effort. Coaches will see that & reward you in the future.
His motor hasn’t changed from what I saw last year
And if your aunt had balls she’d be your uncle
I bet he is still thinking how he wishes the 76ers never traded for him
Weird how what 3 seasons ago he seemed like a classic
Mid level role player
Wonder what happened ?
Seems like a lockdown small forward with enough handle to play 20 mpg.
Does He have an attitude problem, perhaps?
-certainly could explain the gravitation to the Wiz…
These teams just signing tons of trash players.