Jonathan Kuminga is about to square off against his old team, the Golden State Warriors, for the first time as a Minnesota Timberwolf on Wednesday. If his early season play is any indication, the Warriors might be in for a rough night, and the ghost of Klay Thompson’s locker room tradition is definitely gonna be hanging in the air.
The ‘They Didn’t Want You’ Echoes For Kuminga
Remember Klay Thompson and his whole vibe when a teammate was about to face their old squad? He’d just single them out and scream, “They didn’t want you!” It didn’t matter how long it had been, why they left, or if there was even any beef. Zaza Pachulia playing the Bucks years later? “They didn’t want you!” Andre Iguodala against the 76ers after nine years and three other teams? You guessed it, “They didn’t want you!” He even apparently tried to get assistant coach Mike Brown fired up to face the Nuggets for a video coordinator job from like, two decades ago! So yeah, that classic Klay line has got to be screaming in Jonathan Kuminga’s head right now as he gears up to play the Warriors.
And honestly, Klay wouldn’t even be hyperbolizing here. Kuminga can confidently feel like the Warriors really did not want him. After five up-and-down seasons since being the 7th pick in the 2021 NBA draft, his time there ended with a trade for Kristaps Porzingis. It’s safe to say they were ready to move on.
New City, New Contract, New Kuminga
But now? Kuminga is on a whole new vibe in Minnesota. He signed a prove-it contract with the Wolves late last summer, a one-year deal for $6.1 million with a player option for next season. He clearly believes he had way more to offer than the Warriors ever let him show, and he’s proving it already. As the Wolves’ starting power forward, he’s averaging 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in almost 30 minutes a game. The dude is hitting threes, going 7-for-15 from deep, nabbing two steals per game, and get this, he’s only turned the ball over once in four games! Talk about making a statement. Minnesota’s season started hot too, with three blowout wins before a tight two-point overtime loss to the Cavaliers. This isn’t the same Kuminga.
A Second Shot At Showing Out
This isn’t actually Kuminga’s first time facing his old team, but it’s his first as a Timberwolf with this kind of role. Back in March, when he was with the Atlanta Hawks, he played against the Warriors. He went 1-for-9, logging only two points, four rebounds, and two assists in a 126-110 Hawks win. But let’s be real, that wasn’t exactly a stacked Warriors squad, with Jeenathan Williams playing over 28 minutes in that game. This Wednesday’s matchup isn’t just another game for Kuminga, it’s a chance to show his old team exactly what they let go. Will he light up the scoreboard, or will the Warriors manage to quiet the “they didn’t want you” chants in his head? We’ll find out when the Timberwolves face the Warriors.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Golden State of Mind.
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