Jonathan Kuminga signed a two-year, $12.4 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, choosing a short-term contract and a starting role over a more lucrative three-year offer worth more than $36 million from the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off one of the most surprising free agency wins of the summer, securing former Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga. The agreement includes a player option for the 2027-28 season, giving the 23-year-old forward control over his future as he heads into a new chapter in the Western Conference.
Why Kuminga Passed on a Bigger Payday in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Lakers wanted Kuminga as a key addition to their roster, offering a sign-and-trade package that would have paid him more than $12 million annually across three years. That proposal outpaced the best financial terms Minnesota could offer under strict salary cap constraints.
Yet Kuminga chose the Midwest over the glamour market. According to reporting from Shams Charania, the young forward bypassed a larger starting salary and a three-year commitment in L.A. to secure a shorter deal that lets him re-enter free agency next summer.
“Kuminga chose the Timberwolves over offers from the Lakers, Bulls and Trail Blazers — bypassing a similar starting role and $12M-plus annually over three years in L.A. to land in Minnesota for a shorter-term deal and an ability to have more control of his future.”
Shams Charania, ESPN
The decision to reject the Lakers’ offer meant turning down a multiyear security blanket for a bet on himself. By inking a one-plus-one deal, Kuminga positions himself to hit the market again when more teams hold cap space, provided he produces in a prominent role.
How Minnesota Cleared the Path to Land Their Target
Landing Kuminga required an aggressive recruitment effort from the top of the organization. Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly flew to Miami for a face-to-face meeting, while star guard Anthony Edwards and Marc Stad and Alex Rodriguez phoned the forward throughout the summer to emphasize how much the franchise wanted him.
The pursuit faced steep financial hurdles. After acquiring LaMelo Ball in a major draft-night move, the Timberwolves pushed their payroll right to the doorstep of the league’s second apron. That financial ceiling initially restricted Minnesota to offering only a veteran minimum salary worth $3.6 million.
To accommodate Kuminga’s $6.1 million salary for the upcoming season, the front office prepared roster adjustments involving Josh Green ahead of the league’s stretch deadline. Those maneuvers allowed the club to finalize a contract that various outlets valued between $12 million and $13 million total over two seasons.
Fitting Into a Contender’s Rotation
For Minnesota, the addition addresses an immediate void at power forward following the departures of Julius Randle and Naz Reid. Team decision-makers envision Kuminga sliding directly into the starting lineup alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert.
The fit rests on Kuminga’s physical tools and defensive potential.
His track record includes flashes of high-level production when given expanded opportunities.
What Lies Ahead After a Lengthy Standstill
The agreement brings a quiet conclusion to a protracted free agency period that saw Kuminga linked to several franchises, including the Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers, before Cleveland shifted focus to acquire Peyton Watson.
For the Lakers, missing out on their primary target prompted swift alternative moves on the perimeter.
Kuminga now enters training camp with a clear mandate. If he leverages his athleticism as a defensive anchor and offensive finisher in Minnesota’s up-tempo system, the short-term gamble could yield a massive financial reward when he returns to free agency.
