Jonathan Kuminga surprises and signs with the Timberwolves after rejecting an offer from the Lakers

Jonathan Kuminga has a new team in the NBA. The forward has reached an agreement with the Minnesota Timberwolves for two years and 12.4 million dollars, according to his agent, Aaron Turner, who informed Shams Charania from ESPN. The contract includes a player option for the second season.

This decision represents a significant change of scenery for Kuminga, who finally leaves the Golden State Warriors after several years marked by doubts about his role in the project. Minnesota now offers him a particularly attractive opportunity: to compete for the championship and take the starting power forward position alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert.

Kuminga chooses Minnesota over the Lakers

The new Timberwolves player had several alternatives on the table. The Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, and Portland Trail Blazers also showed interest, but Kuminga ultimately opted for Minnesota.

The decision is particularly striking compared to the Lakers' proposal. The Lakers were willing to offer him a starting position and more than 12 million dollars annually for three seasons through a potential trade deal.

However, Kuminga preferred a shorter contract with Minnesota. The strategy is clear: bet on himself, prove his true level during the upcoming season, and regain control of his future.

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The contract of Jonathan Kuminga

The Timberwolves invest heavily in Kuminga

Minnesota had been trying to convince the player for about a month. The franchise used its main available financial resource, the mid-level exception for taxpayers, and also presented him with a very attractive sports scenario.

Anthony Edwards was one of the main advocates for Kuminga's arrival. The President of Operations, Tim Connelly, even traveled to Miami for a four-hour face-to-face meeting with the player earlier this month.

Kuminga also had positive conversations with Coach Chris Finch.

The Timberwolves aim to make the 23-year-old player an important piece of their starting lineup and give him greater responsibility than he had for much of his time in Golden State.

Kuminga's time in Golden State comes to an end

The agreement with Minnesota ends a complicated relationship between Kuminga and the Warriors.

The player was selected seventh in the 2021 Draft and during his early years alternated between promising performances and periods where he struggled to find a stable role within the rotation.

The situation reached a point of no return in February when Golden State traded Kuminga to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis.

Before that move, the Warriors had managed to re-sign the player during the previous summer's free agency with a two-year, 46.8 million dollar contract, although they included a team option for the second season.

Later, Atlanta declined the team option of 24.3 million dollars at the end of June, making Kuminga an unrestricted free agent.

His time in Atlanta ended on a positive note

Kuminga was important in the Hawks' comeback during the second half of the season, helping the team reach the sixth position in the Eastern Conference.

During the playoffs, the forward averaged 13.7 points in 26 minutes per game coming off the bench in the first-round series against the New York Knicks, which ended with Atlanta's defeat in six games.

In total, Kuminga joins Minnesota with 334 regular season games and 40 playoff games in his NBA experience.

But there is a precedent that can particularly excite the Timberwolves.

His best performance came precisely against Minnesota

One of the best moments of Kuminga's career had his new team as the victim.

During the second round of the 2025 playoffs, when he was still wearing the Warriors' jersey, Kuminga faced Minnesota and averaged 20.3 points per game with a 54.3% shooting accuracy.

Now he will have the opportunity to play for the team against which he had that performance.

The Timberwolves' bet is evident: to give a starring role to a player of just 23 years who still has room for growth and believes he can prove he deserves a much larger contract in the future.

For Kuminga, the agreement also represents an opportunity to start afresh after a long period of uncertainty. He chose Minnesota over the Lakers and other options because he believes that being a starter on a championship contender can be the best showcase to demonstrate his true value.