The Minnesota Timberwolves have cleared the path for Jonathan Kuminga by officially waiving John Konchar after finalizing their trade with the Utah Jazz.
That move had been expected once Minnesota sent Josh Green and cash to Utah in exchange for Cody Williams and Konchar. The Timberwolves are keeping Williams, the No. 10 pick in 2024, and using the stretch provision on Konchar’s guaranteed salary, with Saturday serving as the final day to make that kind of roster maneuver.
“The Minnesota Timberwolves have traded Josh Green and cash to the Utah Jazz for Cody Williams and John Konchar, the teams announced Saturday. The Timberwolves are expected to keep Williams, the No. 10 pick in 2024, and waive-and-stretch Konchar, sources told ESPN. Saturday is the final day to waive a player and stretch out his guaranteed salary over multiple seasons,” ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote.
Late Saturday, the team made it official. “The Timberwolves announce that they have just waived John Konchar,” NBA insider Brett Siegel wrote.
Konchar’s exit opens the door for Minnesota to complete the Kuminga signing that was already lined up. Kuminga agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Timberwolves, plus a player option, and ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that he will start alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert on a West contender.
“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 had already made an aggressive push earlier in the summer by moving to trade for LaMelo Ball, signaling a clear all-in approach for this season. The roster was strong, but the Timberwolves still needed a power forward, and Kuminga fills that spot.
Now the Wolves can turn their attention to an NBA Finals run, while Konchar figures to land with another contender.
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Jonathan Kuminga Already Changes Minnesotas Frontcourt Picture
Jonathan Kumingas arrival already gives the Timberwolves frontcourt a different feel, and part of that comes from the certainty around his place in it. Agent Aaron Turner said Kuminga was brought in with a clearly defined starting role at power forward, a notable shift for a player who has spent his NBA career navigating a more fluid path into the lineup.
Turner said this is the first time in Kumingas six-year career that he has entered a season knowing he would start, with coach Chris Finch laying out a clear vision for how he would be used. For Minnesota, that kind of early clarity matters, especially in a frontcourt that is still taking shape and now has a new piece expected to step in immediately. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers Are Suddenly In The Mix For A Veteran Contender Boost
Minnesotas offseason added another notable piece when Jonathan Kuminga agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Timberwolves, complete with a player option. Its the kind of move that can ripple beyond one roster, especially for a team trying to keep building around the edges while the rest of the Western Conference keeps reshuffling its veteran depth.
One of the clubs watching that market closely is the Lakers, who had pursued Kuminga before shifting attention toward free agent Bruce Brown. Brown is also drawing interest from the Heat and Cavaliers, and his track record makes him the sort of versatile addition plenty of contenders would like to land. He has previously shown interest in joining the Lakers, but with multiple suitors involved, this one figures to stay fluid for a bit longer. [Read more 🡒]
Rockets Are Chasing A West Leap With Familiar Rivals In The Way
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Minnesotas outlook is shaped by how quickly its new pieces settle in and how much stability the roster gets from its frontcourt mix. In that sense, Houston matters as much as any team in the West race because the Rockets are one of the clubs most likely to turn the seeding chase into a scrap, especially if their own key players are healthy and the fit comes together early. [Read more 🡒]