Chicago Sports Today

Chicago Sports News continuously updated

5-Year NBA Veteran To Join Wizards On 10-Day Contract

by

The Washington Wizards have been tinkering with the end of their roster of late. Owners of the worst record in the NBA at 9-46, there is certainly no playoff push coming over the remaining 27 regular season games, so there’s no harm in doing so. On Saturday, it was announced by Shams Charania of ESPN that the Wizards are signing five-year NBA veteran Jalen McDaniels to a 10-day contract.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

,5-Year NBA Veteran To Join Wizards On 10-Day Contract

Jalen McDaniels To Play For Wizards, His Fourth NBA Team

Now 27 years old, McDaniels has taken part in the NBA in each of the previous five seasons. He has not appeared on a roster or in a game thus far in 2024-25, but that could change now that he has joined Washington on a 10-day deal. He instead has been playing for the Capital City Go-Go, who are the G League affiliate of the Wizards. Jalen is the older brother of Jaden McDaniels, a 24-year-old forward with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The elder McDaniels brother is a 6-foot-9 forward. He appeared in 50 games for the Toronto Raptors in 2023-24. Prior to that, he spent his first three seasons with the Charlotte Hornets (2019-20 to 2021-22), and began 2022-23 with Charlotte until he was part of a four-team trade in February that shipped him to the Philadelphia 76ers. McDaniels was selected in the second round (52nd overall) by the Hornets in the 2019 NBA Draft after playing two seasons collegiately for San Diego State.

His most productive season in the NBA came in 2022-23, particularly with Charlotte. Prior to being dealt to Philadelphia that season, McDaniels averaged 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.2 steals in 56 outings. McDaniels’ reached his career-high of 26 points with the Hornets on January 16, 2023 against the Boston Celtics.

For his career, McDaniels has appeared in 248 games. Playing 18.3 minutes per contest, he has averaged 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks. The small forward has shot 44.9% from the field, 32.2% from beyond the arc, and 77.7% from the foul line.

Erik Stevenson Waived To Make Room On Roster

In order to bring in McDaniels, the Wizards needed to open up a spot on their 15-man roster. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the team will do so by waiving guard Erik Stevenson.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

It was five days ago on February 17 that Washington signed the 25-year-old Stevenson to a 10-day deal. Undrafted in 2023, the 6-foot-4 guard was hopeful to make his NBA debut at some point during the pact. Unfortunately, he will still have to wait to check into a game for the first time as Stevenson was only rostered for one game. He did not play in Friday’s 104-101 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

If McDaniels remains on the team for the full 10 days, he will be rostered for five games. The Wizards next game takes place on Sunday when they go on the road to take on the Orlando Magic. After the 10 days, Washington will have the option of signing him for another 10 days. They can then decide if they want to sign McDaniels for the remainder of the season.

Photo credit: © Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

The post 5-Year NBA Veteran To Join Wizards On 10-Day Contract appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.