The Minnesota Timberwolves waived veteran wing John Konchar on Saturday, August 31, 2026, just hours after acquiring him from the Utah Jazz. This move was necessary to create financial flexibility and finalize the arrival of forward Jonathan Kuminga. The team's recent form, including a 109-139 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on May 16, 2026, and a 1W-4L record in their last five games, underscores a period of transition as they build their 2026-27 roster.
Why was John Konchar waived?
The Timberwolves needed to stretch Konchar's contract to free up cap space. This financial maneuver was essential to officially complete the signing of Jonathan Kuminga. From a basketball perspective, Konchar simply didn't have a clear path to minutes in head coach Chris Finch's rotation. The 30-year-old wing is known for rebounding, defense, and ball movement. However, Minnesota's perimeter spots are already overcrowded with established talent.
LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards are the star backcourt duo. Jaden McDaniels remains the team's primary perimeter defender. Kuminga is expected to start at power forward, with Rudy Gobert anchoring the paint. That left no obvious role for a low-usage player like Konchar. His skill set, while useful for a contender, was redundant on this specific Wolves squad.
What does this mean for the Timberwolves' rotation?
Minnesota's expected starting five appears set: Ball, Edwards, McDaniels, Kuminga, and Gobert. This group will command the majority of meaningful playing time. The bench competition for wing minutes will be fierce among other players on the squad. Konchar's departure confirms the front office's confidence in their existing depth on the perimeter. It also highlights their commitment to building around their core of young stars and established veterans.
You can view the full roster and player profiles on the team's [squad](/squad) page. The move is a clear signal about the team's direction as they prepare for the new NBA season. After finishing the previous campaign with two consecutive losses, the focus is squarely on optimizing the lineup.
What's next for the Timberwolves?
With the Kuminga deal now finalized, the front office can turn its attention to other offseason priorities. The team will look to build cohesion in training camp ahead of the 2026-27 schedule. Integrating Kuminga into both the offensive and defensive schemes will be a key task for Finch and his staff. The Wolves hope this roster tweak helps improve upon their recent 1W-4L form.
Fans can follow the team's upcoming matchups on the [fixtures](/fixtures) page. The primary goal is to return to playoff contention. Moves like waiving Konchar, while minor, are part of the larger puzzle of constructing a competitive NBA team. The Wolves are betting that their current player mix gives them the best chance to succeed.
