Jonathan Kuminga has had an interesting trajectory in his NBA career, moving on from a chaotic stint with the Golden State Warriors last season. His agent went into detail about what the young forward declined to secure a big extension with Golden State.
Kuminga represented the Warriors for five seasons from 2021 to 2026, winning a title in 2022. However, his final years with the franchise saw him be in and out of the rotation, resulting in frustration over his role. Golden State eventually traded him to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis.
Kuminga had an opportunity to obtain a three-year contract extension with Golden State for a total of $75 million. However, he declined to sign it as his agent Aaron Turner appeared on the Run It Back podcast to explain the decision.
“Money coming before basketball is not how you continue to make more and more money. … Next year is a way better free agency year for him…teams that have been trying to sign-and-trade for him, like Sacramento and Chicago, will have a lot of money,” Turner said.
What’s Next for Jonathan Kuminga after Signing with TimberwolvesMar 1, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) dunks against the Portland Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Jonathan Kuminga doesn’t have to worry about the Warriors anymore. After all, he is now an official member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Kuminga agreed to a two-year, $12.4 million deal with the Timberwolves, which includes a player option on the second season. He chose Minnesota over offers from the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers, via ESPN. Despite the small contract, it’s clear that Kuminga wants to maximize his worth as a player in his career for his next deal.
Minnesota finished with a 49-33 record last season, securing the sixth seed in the Western Conference standings. They finished above the Portland Trail Blazers and the Phoenix Suns while trailing the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Timberwolves made noise in the playoffs, stunning the Denver Nuggets in six games despite suffering significant injuries. However, their postseason journey ended after losing to the San Antonio Spurs in six games.
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