The Minnesota Timberwolves signed 23-year-old forward Jonathan Kuminga to a two-year, $12.4 million deal that includes a player option for the 2027-28 season, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Wednesday. Kuminga chose the Timberwolves over a more lucrative three-year offer worth over $36 million from the Los Angeles Lakers, according to The Athletic. Kuminga also drew interest from the Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers before deciding on Minnesota.
Timberwolves Land Jonathan Kuminga in Free Agency Win Over Lakers
The Lakers chased Kuminga hard in the opening weeks of free agency, offering a starting role next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves paying more than $12 million annually across three years, according to International Business Times. However, because three years is the minimum required duration on a free-agent sign-and-trade contract, the Lakers could not offer a shorter deal to match Minnesota’s structure, as reported by Yahoo Sports. Kuminga ultimately passed on the guaranteed money and longer term to take the shorter, cheaper contract with the Timberwolves, banking on future flexibility and the ability to control his career timing.
Roster Fit and Financial Maneuvers
Minnesota signed Kuminga using its taxpayer mid-level exception, worth about $6.1 million. Timberwolves president Tim Connelly flew to Miami for a four-hour meeting with Kuminga, while Anthony Edwards led a full-court recruiting push alongside ownership and team staff.
The Timberwolves pitched Kuminga on sliding directly into the starting power forward position next to a starting lineup featuring Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert. The addition addresses a clear roster need after the team traded Julius Randle and Naz Reid.
To fit Kuminga’s salary below the second apron, the hard cap on National Basketball Association spending, the franchise must make a corresponding roster move before a Saturday deadline. League sources reported that the team will either trade reserve wing Josh Green or waive and stretch his approximately $14.7 million salary. The club will also need to add another player subsequently to reach the league minimum of 14 players.
From Warriors and Hawks to Western Conference Contender
Kuminga was originally selected No. 7 overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 2021 NBA Draft and won an NBA championship with the franchise in 2022. Following a turbulent contract standoff and an up-and-down tenure under coach Steve Kerr, he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks alongside Buddy Hield in exchange for Kristaps Porziņģis.
During his brief stint with Atlanta, Kuminga appeared in 16 regular-season games and averaged 13.7 points per game off the bench, helping push the New York Knicks to six games in the first round of the playoffs. Despite his postseason productivity, the Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option in June, sending him back to free agency. Ironically, one of Kuminga’s finest postseason stretches came against Minnesota in the 2025 playoffs, when he averaged over 20 points per game for Golden State.
Now in Minnesota, Kuminga is executing a “prove-it” bet on himself. If he outplays his contract, he can decline his player option and re-enter unrestricted free agency next summer when more teams hold cap space.
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