Jonathan Kuminga agrees two-year Minnesota Timberwolves deal

Lead

Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to a two-year contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, with reporting placing the value at roughly $13m and confirming a player option for the second season. Source 1Source 2Source 3

The agreement removes Kuminga from a free-agent market that had featured sustained links to the Los Angeles Lakers. Source 1Source 3

It also gives the 23-year-old a route to test free agency again in the summer of 2027 if he exercises the option. Source 2Source 3

What happened

The reported total has varied slightly by outlet: ESPN put the deal at $12.4m, The Athletic reported $12m and the New York Post described it as a $13m agreement, while all reported a two-year structure. Source 1Source 3Source 4

Kuminga selected Minnesota ahead of offers from the Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers. Source 1Source 3

The Lakers had been connected to him for much of the off-season and were prepared to pursue a longer arrangement, potentially a three-year sign-and-trade worth about $12m or more per season. Source 1Source 3

Instead, Kuminga chose the shorter Timberwolves contract in order to retain greater control over his career path. Source 1Source 3

Minnesota’s recruitment included an in-person Miami meeting between Kuminga and Timberwolves president Tim Connelly earlier this month, while coach Chris Finch also spoke with the forward. Source 3

Kuminga became an unrestricted free agent after the Atlanta Hawks declined his $24.3m team option in June. Source 3Source 4

Atlanta had acquired him from the Golden State Warriors in February alongside Buddy Hield in exchange for Kristaps Porziņģis. Source 4

After that trade, Kuminga played 16 regular-season games for the Hawks and averaged around 12 points per game. Source 4

Why it matters

The Timberwolves intend for Kuminga to start at power forward alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert. Source 3Source 4

That plan places him immediately in Minnesota’s projected first unit rather than treating the signing solely as depth acquisition. Source 3Source 4

The move puts Kuminga with a Western Conference contender seeking to build on recent playoff appearances. Source 1Source 3

For Kuminga, the second-year option is central to the deal’s significance because it provides flexibility rather than a longer commitment elsewhere. Source 2Source 3

For the Lakers, his decision brings an end to the prolonged speculation around a potential move to Los Angeles. Source 1Source 3

Minnesota, however, must now balance the addition against its salary-cap constraints. Source 3

What’s next

The Timberwolves may need to create room by trading Josh Green or by waiving and stretching the reserve wing before the relevant deadline. Source 3

That decision is a potential rather than confirmed next step, but it is the roster issue identified alongside Kuminga’s agreement. Source 3

Minnesota’s stated plan is for Kuminga to take the starting power-forward role, making his place in that proposed line-up the immediate basketball follow-on to monitor. Source 3Source 4

His player option means the arrangement is also set up to carry a major decision point in the summer of 2027. Source 2Source 3

Notes

The reported contract total is not identical across outlets, ranging from $12m to $13m, although each account describes a two-year deal. Source 1Source 3Source 4

The player option for the second season is consistently reported and is the clearest confirmed feature beyond the contract length. Source 2Source 3Source 4

Minnesota’s possible salary-cap solution remains unresolved, with a trade or waive-and-stretch move involving Green identified only as potential routes. Source 3