Jordan McLaughlin may have stolen Anthony Edwards’ basketball skills like the Monstars in Space Jam. Edwards is the Minnesota Timberwolves’ leading scorer, shooting 36% from three on the season. However, he didn’t hit a three from beyond the arc for three straight games, going 0-for-19 against the Denver Nuggets, Chicago Bulls, and Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, McLaughlin connected on 80% of his three-pointers in those games.
Coincidence? I think not.
McLaughlin has connected on 50% of his threes this year and continues to make an impact on offense, even though he’s behind Mike Conley and Monte Morris on the depth chart. There are moments where he shoots like Stephen Curry and handles like Kyrie Irving. He’s a capable defender and can play off-ball. Chris Finch has been using McLaughlin in more three-point-guard sets, meaning McLaughlin often subs in for Edwards.
“It’s different,” McLaughlin admits. “In the past, I’ve maybe come in with three minutes left for the point guard who was on the floor at the time. So, embracing the role of coming in from Ant, I’m on the side, get a hot pad, get my routine with our strength coach, I’ll grab a ball, dribble in the tunnel. Because…it’s kind of hard to come in after 12 minutes, so just trying to do my best to remain locked in and ready for when I go in.”
McLaughlin, 27, is in his fifth year as an undrafted player out of USC. He originally signed with the Brooklyn Nets in August 2018. However, they waived him in October that year, and the Wolves signed him in July 2019. McLaughlin has become a veteran on a Wolves team that experienced a lot of turnover until recently, and he believes his established routine is the key to his recent success.
“Right now, I’m in a pretty good rhythm,” he says. “I’m just trying to stick with it, stay to my routine on a daily basis, and making sure my mechanics are staying the same on every shot. I’m feeling good right now.”
“He’s becoming another threat, another real threat,” says Conley. “There’s nobody you can really play off on our team with his playmaking ability. That’s the best thing that he does, and they have to close out on him now. He’s one of our better shooters, and it opens up the game for him and the rest of the guys on the court.”
When he’s on the floor, McLaughlin allows the Timberwolves to play a fast-paced, free-flowing offense — the kind Finch loves. Minnesota hired Finch in 2021, and McLaughlin quickly became one of his favorite bench players. At 6’0”, 185 lbs., McLaughlin is undersized for an NBA player. But he possesses incredible talent that allows him to play against players who are significantly larger than him. He also has excellent court vision, plays tenaciously, and can be effective despite getting inconsistent minutes.
“J-Mac gets a lot of 50-50 balls,” says Finch. “He creates pace, gets off it early, and we just play with a different tempo when he’s on the floor, and his shotmaking is super high level. Defensively, we don’t feel, even if we switch, we feel he’s going to battle his way through anything we ask him to do. It’s toughness.”
McLaughlin has been working on his shooting with Timberwolves assistant coach Chris Hines, who they hired in 2019. Hines was an assistant coach in Iowa from 2019 until last year and worked with McLaughlin when he was in the G-League. McLaughlin regularly watches film with Hines and says he’s helped him work on his shot mechanics. McLaughlin made 31.3% of his threes the past two seasons and credits Hines for helping him find his shot again.
“Yeah, just taking it game by game, and…making sure I stay in the mechanics on my shot,” said McLaughlin. “That’s something I’ve been talking to Hines about when we’re watching film and everything, so just making sure I’m ready to knock down shots.”
McLaughlin’s size limits him defensively. But he says he was in the weight room in the offseason trying to bulk up to slow down opposing guards. McLaughlin has been a better on-ball defender this year, allowing him to play more minutes in the right matchups.
“I’ve gotten a lot stronger this offseason,” he said. “I think that’s helped me a lot. And then just continuing to be a pest on the ball and making sure I’m reading the defense correctly and making the right reads defensively.”
A player McLaughlin’s size must be uniquely skilled to play in the NBA. He’s made the most of his ability and endeared himself to legions of Wolves fans. McLaughlin has gotten more playing time in Finch’s three-guard sets and typically makes a positive impact. Still, Edwards may want to avoid slapping his hand as he subs out for McLaughlin. Because McLaughlin may occasionally be stealing Edwards’ superstar ability.
