All articles tagged with #kuminga
Kuminga declined Golden State’s three-year, $75 million extension in 2025, opting for a two-year, roughly $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, per his agent who says the move maximizes future free-agent value and career control. The decision sparked social-media backlash and questions about his path, as he moves into a new chapter with Minnesota alongside Edwards, Ball, McDaniels, and Gobert.
Jonathan Kuminga chose to sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves over the Los Angeles Lakers, a two-year, $13 million deal driven by defensive fit and versatility rather than money. His agent, Aaron Turner, said Kuminga prioritized Minnesota's defensive edge (Gobert, McDaniels, Edwards) and a winning environment, with offense taking a back seat to winning. The Wolves’ lineup would feature Ball and Kuminga alongside Edwards and Gobert, and the piece notes the Lakers may pivot with a potential Bruce Brown addition as a separate move.
Timberwolves acquired Cody Williams (No. 10 overall in 2024) and John Konchar from the Jazz for Josh Green and cash, plan to waive Konchar to stretch his $6.2M salary over three years and clear cap space for Kuminga’s two-year, $12.4M deal; Williams, a 2024 lottery pick, will back up wings behind Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu.
Timberwolves trade Josh Green and cash to the Jazz for Cody Williams and John Konchar; Konchar’s $6.2 million contract will be waived and stretched, creating roughly $2 million in dead cap to help accommodate Jonathan Kuminga under cap rules. Cody Williams, Jalen Williams’ younger brother, showed late-season promise but isn’t guaranteed a rotation spot, and Minnesota sits at 14 players under contract with three two-way slots filled as they seek roster flexibility.
The Timberwolves view Jonathan Kuminga as a versatile, high-upside add at a reasonable two-year, $12.4 million commitment that could fill a power-forward void by delivering defensive versatility and off-ball/on-ball usage, while Donte DiVincenzo’s return from a torn Achilles remains uncertain and Minnesota isn’t planning to trade him. The team may waive-and-stretch Josh Green to create cap space to sign Kuminga with the taxpayer mid-level exception. Separately, Jon Krawczynski profiles new majority owner Marc Stad, whose Dragoneer Investment Group will influence decisions as Stad takes a more active role alongside wife Elisa Stad, the team governor.
With Kuminga signing with Minnesota, the Lakers shift focus to adding frontcourt depth behind starter Walker Kessler and reserve Kevon Looney, eyeing a center upgrade via unsigned veterans like Kevin Love and other options (Powell, Biyombo, Eubanks, Tillman, Plumlee) as they trim the roster before training camp.
With Jonathan Kuminga choosing elsewhere, the Lakers are weighing a trade or roster cuts (likely Dalton Knecht or Jaden Hardy) as they navigate limited open roster spots and scarce assets. A starting-caliber forward remains a goal (Saddiq Bey is a common name) but may be tough to obtain; alternatively, a backup center could be pursued to complete the fifth starter. The core’s multi-year contracts aim to boost buy-in, coaching staff stays largely intact, and ownership changes could slow new hires in scouting/analytics. In short, LA must balance cap, depth, and defensive upgrades during a nuanced offseason.
Jonathan Kuminga chose a two-year, $12.4 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves over a larger Lakers offer and a three-year, about $75 million package from the Warriors, a move many view as a misread of his value. The decision leaves him with a shorter-term path and less certainty about long-term earnings, as other teams divvied up their cap space and sign-and-trade options, effectively narrowing his market this offseason and turning the saga into what observers dub a major “bag fumble.”
Jonathan Kuminga agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves to slot in at power forward alongside Rudy Gobert, beating out the Lakers for the deal. The move fills a frontcourt need for a contending West team, with Minnesota eyeing a potentially aggressive rebuild; the Wolves will likely need to clear space (e.g., by trading Josh Green or waiving/stretching his salary) to stay under the second apron.
NBA insider Jake Fischer says Jonathan Kuminga’s next team likely hinges on a Lakers vs. Timberwolves path, with a sign-and-trade framework and salary considerations shaping the deal; Chicago could also enter the mix, while other notes touch on Bruce Brown’s market, Nick Richards to the Heat, and ongoing chatter around Jalen Duren and Nikola Jokic.
Kuminga’s market has cooled, forcing him to consider a smaller, potentially one-year deal or a sign-and-trade (which requires a three-year contract)—a path that complicates a Hawks-pivot plan due to luxury-tax concerns. The Heat are targeting Klay Thompson with their remaining mid-level exception and could pursue DeRozan if Dallas buys him out. As the offseason winds down, several other names to watch include Porter Jr., Sabonis, LaVine, AD, Strus/Schroder, Murphy and Turner.
The Los Angeles Lakers are pursuing Jonathan Kuminga, reportedly eyeing a two-year, $20 million deal and exploring a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks due to cap constraints; the Hawks declined Kuminga's 2026-27 option, and LA could offer assets like Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia plus draft picks to facilitate a deal, though Kuminga's price could complicate talks.
Atlanta is reportedly exploring a sign-and-trade that would send Jonathan Kuminga from the Lakers to the Hawks in exchange for Jarred Vanderbilt and a 2032 first‑round pick swap. The Lakers are interested in Kuminga but need a path to a larger contract, making a sign‑and‑trade their most realistic option, while Cleveland has also shown interest if Kuminga lands elsewhere; the Lakers are weighing wings with size/defense as potential targets if Kuminga stays in L.A.
Atlanta is reportedly willing to facilitate a sign-and-trade that would send Jonathan Kuminga to the Lakers in exchange for Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap. The Hawks would gain assets while avoiding Kuminga’s option, and the Lakers would evaluate the deal’s value and potentially move Vanderbilt to create cap flexibility, given their tight roster and limited draft capital. Kuminga averaged 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last season with 33.3% from three, leaving room for a potentially improved deal if numbers align.
The Lakers are considering Jonathan Kuminga for the final open roster spot on a two-year, $20 million deal as part of their offseason reshaping around Luka Doncic’s style; the Cavaliers have also shown interest, but Kuminga would bring size and perimeter defense, with concerns about fit off the ball and shooting, as Grimes is expected to start at small forward and training camp decisions loom.