Full Breakdown
Jonathan Kuminga Signs Two-Year Deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves
8/27/2026, 11:25:34 AM
Core Deal Details
Free-agent wing Jonathan Kuminga agreed to a two-year contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves that includes a player option for the second season. The deal is reported at $12.4 million (ESPN’s Shams Charania) and is being financed through the taxpayer mid-level exception. To stay under the second-apron salary cap, the Wolves must either trade, waive or stretch reserve wing Josh Green before the league’s Saturday deadline.
Background & Context
- Draft and early career. Kuminga was the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and spent five seasons with the Golden State Warriors, including a role on the 2021-22 championship team.
- Restricted free agency. He re-signed with Golden State on a two-year, $46.8 million contract that contained a team option.
- Trade to Atlanta. The Warriors later dealt him to the Hawks in a package centered on Kristaps Porzingis. In Atlanta he averaged 13.7 points per game off the bench and posted 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds in 2025-26. The Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option, making him an unrestricted free agent.
- Free-agency market. Kuminga received offers from the Lakers, Bulls and Trail Blazers. The Timberwolves secured his services by promising a starting power-forward role alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert.
Key Figures & Groups
- Jonathan Kuminga – 23-year-old wing, former Warriors draft pick.
- Tim Connelly – President of the Minnesota Timberwolves, met with Kuminga in Miami.
- Aaron Turner – Kuminga’s agent, confirmed the contract details to Shams Charania.
- Rob Pelinka – Lakers GM, led the Lakers’ pursuit.
- Onsi Saleh – Hawks GM, involved in early trade talks.
Data & Statistics
- Career totals. 334 regular-season games and 40 playoff games.
- 2025 playoffs. Averaged 20.3 points on 54.3 % shooting in a second-round loss to Minnesota.
- Atlanta production. In 16 games with the Hawks logged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 47.6 % shooting.
- Recent averages. Over 20 appearances with Golden State before the trade he averaged 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds.
Official Statements & Responses
- Agent Aaron Turner told Shams Charania the player chose Minnesota for a “prove-it” deal that gives him control over his future.
- Timberwolves president Tim Connelly met with Kuminga in Miami; coaching staff, including head coach Chris Finch, discussed his role.
- Anthony Edwards expressed enthusiasm for adding Kuminga.
Why It Matters / Impact
The Timberwolves add a versatile forward to a roster that recently added LaMelo Ball and is shaping itself as a Western Conference contender. Kuminga’s athleticism and floor-spacing complement Rudy Gobert’s interior defense and the scoring of Edwards and Ball. The short-term, player-option structure lets Minnesota evaluate his development without a long-term commitment, while Kuminga retains flexibility for a larger contract if he exceeds expectations.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Contract value. ESPN and CBS Sports list $12.4 million; Bleacher Report and GoldenStateOfMind cite $13 million.
- Player-option year. ESPN mentions 2027-28; other sources refer to 2026-27.
- Cap-space maneuver. All agree the Wolves must move a roster spot (likely Josh Green) but differ on whether a trade or waive-and-stretch will be used.
What’s Next
- The Timberwolves must finalize a roster move—trading, waiving or stretching Josh Green—before the Saturday deadline to accommodate Kuminga’s salary.
- Kuminga’s player option will be decided in late June, after which he could become an unrestricted free agent again.
- Minnesota’s coaching staff will determine his exact role—likely the third or fourth offensive option—once training camp begins.
