Jonathan Kuminga’s move to Minnesota landed as one of the summer’s biggest surprises, and the money chatter around it has only made the story louder.
The Timberwolves closed their offseason by signing the NBA champion, a deal the team announced with the note that “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."
That move came after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Kuminga was headed toward a $36 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Charania also said, “Kuminga chose the Timberwolves over offers from the Lakers, Bulls and Trail Blazers -- bypassing a similar starting role and $12M-plus annually over three years in L.A. to land in Minnesota for a shorter-term deal and an ability to have more control of his future, sources said,”
But Kuminga pushed back on the idea that he turned down that kind of payday. Lonzo Ball, LiAngelo Ball, and Darren Moore discussed the situation on an episode, and Kuminga later messaged Moore directly to say the reports were off.
“Gang I saw the interview and I never turned down no bread. None of that had ever been offered,” Kuminga texted Moore.
So for now, the key detail is simple: Kuminga says that $36 million Lakers offer was never on the table. Whether that settles the matter or not, he’s standing by his version of events after making his way to Minnesota.
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Jonathan Kuminga Is Now Pushing Back On A Warriors Contract Claim
Jonathan Kumingas contract situation has taken another twist, and the latest turn only adds to the confusion around what was actually offered and what was actually rejected. The back-and-forth has become a story not just about negotiations, but about how the messages from Kuminga and his camp have lined up, or failed to line up, as reports have surfaced about his options.
Kuminga reportedly texted Darren Moore, Lonzo Balls manager, to say he never turned down any offers at all. That directly cuts against the earlier framing from his agent, Aaron Turner, who had indicated Kuminga passed on higher-value possibilities, including reported deals tied to the Warriors and Lakers. For Minnesota fans tracking the broader Western Conference picture, it is another reminder that the offseason business around a key opponent can still shape the landscape long after the headlines first break. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Face A Tough Protection Call As Expansion Looms
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The intrigue comes with the last two spots, where the Timberwolves would have to balance upside, fit and roster stability. Jonathan Kuminga sits in that debate, but so do Terrence Shannon Jr. and Donte DiVincenzo, and the current version of the roster is only a snapshot anyway. By the time expansion actually arrives, Minnesotas priorities and personnel will almost certainly look different. [Read more 🡒]
Ayo Dosunmu Could Decide How Flexible The Timberwolves Really Are
When the Timberwolves went after Ayo Dosunmu at last years trade deadline, they were looking for a guard who could settle into the rotation quickly and give the roster more balance. Minnesota sent Rob Dillingham and Leonard Miller to Chicago to get him, and Dosunmus first games in a Timberwolves uniform were encouraging enough that the team moved forward with a long-term commitment in the pre-negotiation period. It was the kind of move that can look smart in the moment and still carry real consequences later, especially for a team trying to stay competitive without boxing itself in.
Dosunmus role now matters well beyond one players production. For Minnesota, the question is less about whether he can help and more about how much flexibility the front office is willing to give up to keep him in place if the fit changes down the line. The Timberwolves have built enough momentum that every contract decision gets magnified, and Dosunmu sits right at the intersection of present value and future maneuverability. [Read more 🡒]