What happened?
The Minnesota Timberwolves agreed to terms with power forward Jonathan Kuminga on a two-year, $12.4 million contract on Wednesday, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not confirmed the agreement. ESPN reported that Kuminga's contract includes a player option for the second season, which would give the seventh overall pick from the 2021 draft an opportunity to hit the free agent market in a year.
Why it matters for Minnesota Timberwolves
Kuminga will fill an obvious need in the frontcourt for the Timberwolves, who traded Julius Randle and Naz Reid as part of their offseason acquisition of point guard LaMelo Ball. Kuminga, who will turn 24 on Oct. 6, averaged a career-best 16.1 points during the 2023-24 season for the Golden State Warriors, who drafted the Congo native but never found the right fit for him before ultimately trading him to the Atlanta Hawks in February. Kuminga fell out of favor with Warriors coach Steve Kerr and out of the rotation last season, making his departure an inevitability. He played in only seven of his last 38 games with the Warriors. He'll have a fresh start with the hungry Timberwolves, who'll have the challenge of finding enough shots for Kuminga and fellow forward Jaden McDaniels in a lineup that will revolve around Ball and superstar Anthony Edwards. In 278 NBA games, Kuminga has averaged 12.5 points and 22.1 minutes. He's a 50.2% shooter from the floor. Last result: Minnesota Timberwolves 109-139 San Antonio Spurs (2026-05-16). Recent form (last 5): 1W-0D-4L (LLWLL, most recent first); lost the last 2.
What comes next?
Kuminga will have a fresh start with the hungry Timberwolves, who'll have the challenge of finding enough shots for Kuminga and fellow forward Jaden McDaniels in a lineup that will revolve around Ball and superstar Anthony Edwards. In 278 NBA games, Kuminga has averaged 12.5 points and 22.1 minutes. He's a 50.2% shooter from the floor. The team will need to balance minutes between Kuminga, McDaniels, and Edwards, especially with the recent loss of Randle and Reid. The Wolves' frontcourt depth will be tested as they navigate a tough Western Conference schedule, with their last five games yielding only one win.
How does this affect the roster?
The Wolves' offseason moves, including the trade of Julius Randle and Naz Reid, created a void in scoring and rebounding that Kuminga is expected to fill. His 16.1 points per game last season represents a significant uptick from his previous averages, and his 50.2% field goal shooting provides efficient scoring in the paint. The team's new lineup will feature LaMelo Ball orchestrating the offense, with Kuminga operating as a versatile forward who can stretch the floor and attack the rim. This signing aligns with Minnesota's push to contend in the playoffs, as they aim to improve their 1W-0D-4L recent form. The Wolves' next games, including a matchup against the Spurs, will be crucial for integrating Kuminga into their system. Fans can track his progress on our [stats](/stats) page.
