Another long free agency process is over for Jonathan Kuminga, with the former Golden State Warriors forward signing a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
As first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, Kuminga's deal comes with a second-year player option and seemingly the promise of a starting role which gives the young forward a perfect chance at earning some revenge over his former team.
Jonathan Kuminga signs with Timberwolves in free agency
According to Charania, Kuminga turned down offers from the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers to sign with the Timberwolves on a lesser deal than what he could have got elsewhere.
Clearly this is about opportunity for the young forward -- playing a meaningful and starting role on a playoff-contending team. Even though it's an underwhelming contract, it's the right decision for Kuminga to maximize his chances of boosting his value and getting a big pay day next summer when he could opt out of his contract.
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, sources said. https://t.co/Nq9byvxkII
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 26, 2026
Playing a big role on a Western Conference rival also gives Kuminga an opportunity to pour revenge on the Warriors who may be a little anxious based on their past history. Golden State rejected sign-and-trade interest from the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings last offseason in part because they were concerned about him breaking out on a divisional rival, while that factor undoubtedly played a role in sending him East to the Atlanta Hawks at February's mid-season trade deadline.
From that aspect, Kuminga going to Timberwolves may be more preferable for the Warriors than him heading to the Lakers, but it's still a return to the West for the former seventh overall pick who will be on his third team in the past eight months.
Jonathan Kuminga faces increased pressure with Timberwolves
With opportunity comes increased pressure and expectation, something Kuminga has long wanted but will now be truly faced with. There's already been slight murmurs over the future of Anthony Edwards, and Minnesota have revamped their roster this summer in the hope of greater success and to keep their franchise superstar content.
Kuminga, along with the recently acquired LaMelo Ball, will now have significant responsibility in trying to help the Timberwolves back to the Western Conference Finals after back-to-back appearances in 2024 and 2025.
This is the responsibility Kuminga is openly taking on and walking into, but it has significant downsides for both he and the Timberwolves if things don't go as planned, which is plausible given the up-and-down nature of he and Ball's careers to date.
The Warriors will see Kuminga, Ball and the new-look Timberwolves early in the season when they meet at Target Center in Minnesota on October 28.
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