Jonathan Kuminga is already giving the Timberwolves a jolt before the season even tips off, and not just because of what he brings on the floor. The new Minnesota forward found himself in the middle of a viral moment after threatening to slap a fan who hit him with an NSFW nickname.
That kind of flashpoint is the last thing Minnesota wanted to see attached to a player it just added as part of an aggressive offseason push. The Timberwolves spent the summer loading up for what they believe is a championship-or-bust season, starting with the trade for LaMelo Ball right before the trade deadline and finishing with Kuminga’s arrival in free agency.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the deal this way: “Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, plus a player option, agent Aaron Turner tells ESPN. Kuminga will be a starter alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert on the West contender," ESPN's Shams Charania wrote.
Minnesota’s optimism has centered on that starting five, which the organization believes stacks up with anyone in the league. Kuminga, who spent plenty of time in the spotlight over the summer, has also been talking up the chance to play with Ball.
“I’ve played with so many point guards in my career, but I’ve never played with someone that can pass as good as LaMelo,” Kuminga told the media.
But the conversation shifted after Kuminga’s reaction to the fan went viral. The clip showed him threatening the person after the nickname was directed his way.
While he didn’t actually make contact or move toward the fan, the threat itself was enough to get attention. It was a moment Kuminga didn’t need, especially with a new season and a new role ahead of him. The Timberwolves are counting on him to help fuel their title push, and this was a reminder that he’s still learning how to handle the heat that comes with the spotlight.
In Other News...
Naz Reid Just Reminded Wolves Fans How Rare Ant Really Is
Naz Reids move from Minnesota to Charlotte has given him a new front-row seat to a different kind of young talent, and it also gave him a useful comparison point when he talked about Brandon Miller. Reid drew a line from Millers growth to what he once saw from Anthony Edwards in Minnesota, the kind of rapid rise that can change how a franchise thinks about its future. For Timberwolves fans, the reference lands because they know just how unusual Edwards has been as a force of nature, not only as a scorer but as a player whose athleticism and production tend to separate him from most players his age.
Miller has plenty going for him, and the discussion around him is really about what kind of ceiling he can reach in a different situation. The articles larger point is that development does not happen in a vacuum, and the teammates around a young player shape how far his game can go and how quickly. Edwards benefited from the environment Minnesota built around him as he kept ascending, while Charlotte is trying to find its own structure around Miller, leaving the bigger question about whether his rise can truly track the same path. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Walked Into A Preseason Atmosphere That Felt Nothing Like Preseason
Friday night in Ames had the feel of something closer to a celebration than a tune-up, with the Timberwolves dropped into an exhibition setting that carried the weight of a much bigger basketball moment. The Pacers and Minnesota were in preseason mode, but the setting and the crowd energy made it easy to forget, especially with the game staged in a building that already meant a great deal to one of Indianas biggest names.
Tyrese Haliburtons return to an official game after a long injury recovery gave the night its emotional center, and it was the kind of backdrop that had players and coaches around the league talking about more than just rotations or conditioning. For Minnesota, it was a reminder that even a preseason stop can turn into a meaningful basketball event when fan interest, a familiar arena and a comeback story all line up at once. [Read more 🡒]
Pacers Rookie Braden Smith Drew A Strange Reaction In His Debut
The Pacers preseason win over Minnesota at Hilton Coliseum had one unexpected subplot: rookie guard Braden Smith drew a hostile reaction in his first NBA preseason appearance, with the crowd booing him in a way that left Rick Carlisle and Tyrese Haliburton puzzled. For a debut that should have been all about settling in and showing he belongs, Smith instead found himself in the middle of an oddly charged environment.
Even so, Smith said he enjoyed the competitive feel and handled the moment well on the floor. For Indiana, it was a useful look at a rookie guard getting tested early, and for the Timberwolves side of the preseason matchup, it added a little extra noise to a night that was already more intense than most exhibition games. [Read more 🡒]