The Timberwolves now have a starting-caliber power forward.
Is it the right one? Only time can answer that question, but Minnesota addressed its massive need by agreeing to a two-year, $12 million deal with Jonathan Kuminga on Wednesday, a source confirmed. The deal includes a player option for Kuminga in Year 2.
It won’t be finalized until Minnesota makes another transaction, because the Wolves don’t currently have the cap space to offer that contract. The Wolves will either have to execute a salary-shedding trade or waive-and-stretch one of their own players. It’s likely recently-acquired wing Josh Green will never play a game for Minnesota.
Kuminga was originally selected No. 7 overall by Golden State in 2021 with the pick dealt to the Warriors by Minnesota in the D’Angelo Russell trade.
Kuminga’s role frequently oscillated during his four and a half seasons with Golden State. He never seemed to gain the full trust of future hall of fame coach, Steve Kerr.
Kuminga was ultimately to Atlanta midway through last season. And while he had success with the Hawks, his free agency market this summer was tepid considering his reported expectation of a big-money contract that never came.
So the possibilities shifted to opportunity. In the end, the Lakers and Timberwolves could offer starting gigs. Tim Connelly applied a full-court press to demonstrate how badly the team wanted the 23-year-old. Anthony Edwards participated in the recruiting process.
In the end, Kuminga chose Minnesota. It’s a bet by both sides. For Kuminga, that he can contribute to winning at a high level to raise his stock and eventually earn the contract he believes he deserves.
For Minnesota, it’s that Kuminga can assimilate himself into the Wolves’ culture and consistently impact winning while not being a top-two usage player.
Kuminga is a strong defender and rebounder. Prior to this signing, Minnesota was lacking in both departments while staring down the required, persistent use of small-ball lineups.
Kuminga provides the size necessary to compete against the likes of San Antonio and Oklahoma City. He’s an asset in transition, especially alongside new Wolves’ point guard LaMelo Ball.
If the young forward can check those boxes every night, he can be a major asset for Minnesota.
The risk for the Wolves lies largely on the offensive end. While the forward is talented, he’s also a ball stopper. As Minnesota discovered during the Julius Randle era, a second ball stopper playing next to Edwards is not a recipe for success.
Kuminga also isn’t a strong 3-point shooter, meaning Minnesota will have two elite outside shooters in its projected starting lineup with Edwards and Ball, a pair of major question marks from distance in Kuminga and Jaden McDaniels and a non-shooter in Rudy Gobert.
But there were plenty of questions surrounding this roster prior to Wednesday’s agreement. What’s not up for debate is Minnesota increased its overall talent level with this move, something Connelly always chases.
Kuminga is the right size to fit the Wolves’ roster gap. It’s on the forward to prove he can morph himself into the properly shape to round out Minnesota’s starting five.
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