Jonathan Kuminga Joins Timberwolves on 2-Year, $12.4M Contract

Free agent wing Jonathan Kuminga agreed to a $12.4 million deal with Minnesota, choosing the Timberwolves over a $36 million offer from the Lakers.

Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to a two-year, $12.4 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The agreement, confirmed by agent Aaron Turner to ESPN’s Shams Charania, includes a player option for the second season. This transaction utilizes Minnesota’s taxpayer midlevel exception, their largest remaining financial tool. The 23-year-old wing joins the Western Conference contender with 334 career games of experience, including 40 appearances in the NBA playoffs. To finalize the roster spot, the Timberwolves are exploring trade scenarios for reserve wing Josh Green or will waive and stretch his contract before the Saturday deadline.

Minnesota’s recruitment centered on a vacant starting power forward position. Kuminga is expected to join a first-unit lineup featuring Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert. During the 2025 playoffs, Kuminga recorded his signature career stretch against his new team, averaging 20.3 points on 54.3% shooting in a second-round series while playing for the Golden State Warriors. Most recently, the sixth-year veteran averaged 13.7 points in 26 minutes per game off the bench for the Atlanta Hawks during a six-game first-round series loss to the New York Knicks.

Recruitment and Roster Logistics

Team president Tim Connelly traveled to Miami for a four-hour in-person meeting with Kuminga earlier this month. Anthony Edwards also served as a vocal participant in the recruiting process, which included productive conversations between the player and coach Chris Finch. Kuminga chose this shorter-term "prove-it" deal over a sign-and-trade offer from the Los Angeles Lakers that would have paid him over $12 million annually for three years. The decision allows the forward to potentially re-enter unrestricted free agency as early as next summer.

Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka held multiple discussions with Hawks GM Onsi Saleh to facilitate a sign-and-trade, but the three parties failed to reach an agreement. The Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers also extended offers to the free agent. Kuminga became available after the Atlanta Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option in late June. His tenure in Atlanta followed a February trade from the Golden State Warriors, who received Kristaps Porzingis in exchange for the former No. 7 overall pick.

Career Path and Previous Contracts

This signing ends a second consecutive summer of protracted negotiations for Kuminga. Last year, as a restricted free agent with the Warriors, talks lasted into October training camp before he signed a two-year, $46.8 million contract. That deal included a team option for the second season, which Golden State maintained before the eventual trade to the Eastern Conference. His time with the franchise that drafted him concluded after a period of reported instability in the relationship.

By joining Minnesota, Kuminga secures a starting role he was seeking while maintaining control over his long-term future. The Timberwolves' persistent month-long pursuit focused on his ability to provide size and scoring alongside their established core. The move adds a productive 23-year-old to a roster that recently eliminated his former team in the postseason. Kuminga now transitions from a bench role in Atlanta’s sprint to the sixth seed back to a primary starting position in the Western Conference.