The Minnesota Timberwolves have spent the summer making clear they’re not interested in standing still. First came the draft-night shakeup, when they landed one of the league’s most promising young guards.
Then came another major addition in Jonathan Kuminga. With that much talent coming in, the other shoe eventually has to drop.
Minnesota’s biggest swing was the trade for LaMelo Ball, a deal that sent Naz Reid and a package of picks to Charlotte. ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk reported the full terms this way: “The Charlotte Hornets are trading star guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid and a series of draft picks, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Thursday.
In addition to Reid, the Hornets will receive a 2033 unprotected first-round pick and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033). Charlotte also gets first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029 and 2030,” ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk wrote.
The Timberwolves followed that up by adding Kuminga. In its announcement, the team said, “The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed. forward Jonathan Kuminga.
Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released. Kuminga, 23, wrapped up his fifth season in the NBA, splitting time between the Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors after being traded to the Hawks on Feb. 5," the organization wrote."
Kuminga will wear #24 for the Timberwolves."
But if Minnesota is stacking this much talent onto the roster, there’s a cost to be paid somewhere. Heavy.com’s Sean Deveney believes that cost could eventually involve Rudy Gobert.
“Rudy Gobert. (Remaining contract: two years, $75 million, player option.)
The Timberwolves turned back trade interest in Gobert this year, but eventually, he will need an extension and the team will need to weigh moving on from him. They like young big man Joan Beringer very much,” Deveney wrote.
That decision may not come right away. Depending on how the season goes, it could wait until next offseason or even the trade deadline. For now, Minnesota looks committed to pushing in this year.
Gobert has earned $296 million over the course of his career, and moving on from him would be a major call. The Timberwolves would be giving up a high-level rim protector and rebounder, and replacing that production would not be simple.
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Timberwolves Could Bring Back A Familiar Veteran Presence
Kevin Loves name keeps circling back to Minnesota, and this time the fit makes a little more sense on paper than it has in years. The Timberwolves have a roster spot available and the cap space to add a veteran if they choose, which has turned a possible reunion into more than just nostalgic talk. For a young team that has spent the last few seasons building toward contention, Love would bring something the room still can use: a player who has lived through deep playoff runs and knows what winning habits look like.
The appeal is not about asking him to be a centerpiece again. Love spent last season in a limited role in Utah, and at this stage of his career he would be more of a low-minute stabilizer than a nightly rotation driver. For Minnesota, the question is whether a familiar voice with championship experience is worth the roster spot, especially if the plan is to keep leaning on youth while adding a steadying veteran presence around it. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Kuminga's New Situation Could Change How Hawks Fans Feel
Jonathan Kumingas move to Minnesota is the kind of signing that can look straightforward on paper and still carry a lot of intrigue once the roster fit comes into focus. He picked the Timberwolves over other suitors, including the Lakers, and the deal gives him a fresh start on a team that has built its identity around length, pressure and defensive versatility.
Still, there is at least some skepticism about how quickly Kuminga will find a clear lane in the rotation, especially with established pieces already in place. His agent, Aaron Turner, framed the choice as a fit-for-defense decision, but the second year of the contract is a player option, which keeps this from feeling like a simple long-term lock. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Face A Costly Decision With Their Final Roster Spot
The Timberwolves suddenly have some breathing room after trading Josh Green and waiving John Konchar, leaving them enough roster flexibility to bring in another player while staying under the second tax apron. Even so, the front office is weighing whether that last standard roster spot is worth filling right away, especially with the summer still offering ways to patch holes without locking in a full-season commitment.
A final addition would help with depth, particularly up front, but the financial tradeoff is real enough to make the decision linger. Minnesota could also keep the opening around for later in the season, using 10-day contracts to handle short-term needs or preserving the spot for a move closer to the deadline. [Read more 🡒]